Amorim vs. Moyes: Who Delivered Better Results in Their First 34 Man United Premier League Matches?

Following Manchester United's separation from David Moyes after merely ten months of the Scottish manager's tenure, many anticipated that his downfall marked the absolute low point in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Ferguson, who guided United's two-decade period of supremacy, identified his fellow countryman as the heir to his commanding position, but succeeding the legendary figure proved to be a challenge far exceeding the capabilities of the accomplished Everton manager.

Moyes' declining reputation required years to restore, though the 62-year-old has subsequently achieved remarkable success at West Ham United, and has now returned to harmonious relations with the Toffees on Merseyside. As he completed this career circle, United have descended to levels that few could have imagined possible even during Moyes' leadership.

The temporary successes and short-lived moments of achievement under various managers have frequently been overshadowed by embarrassing failures. Successive projects have offered great promise only to be subsequently discarded, and these disappointments likely explain why the current manager, Ruben Amorim, remains in position.

The Portuguese manager reached his 34th Premier League match over the weekend, matching the exact number Moyes supervised before his dismissal and eventual replacement by Louis van Gaal. Therefore, what remains but to examine their comparative performances in the league?

Rúben Amorim vs. David Moyes: Manchester United Records Compared

From a statistical perspective, Moyes's Premier League performance significantly surpasses Amorim's, who achieved only his tenth league triumph since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November.

United have registered seven draws and seven losses under Amorim, while maintaining a -8 goal differential. They collect 1.09 points per match on average, and the Portuguese holds the poorest win rate of any Man Utd manager in Premier League history (29.4%). Ralf Rangnick's 41.7% represents the second-lowest figure.

Graham Potter became the initial Premier League manager dismissed in 2025–26, departing West Ham after winning merely 26% of his league matches in charge.

Moyes's 50% success rate places him joint-third-worst among United managers following Ferguson, though it's important to acknowledge that the Scot took over a championship-winning squad, despite its urgent need for renewal. Amorim inherited a team built for his predecessor, filled with costly errors. His commitment to the 3-4-2-1 formation has undoubtedly played a role in his disappointing tenure so far, with United failing to show any capacity to dominate matches either in possession or defensively.

Saturday's 2–0 victory against Sunderland represented encouraging progress, however. The manager's adjustments, including an alternative defensive structure, enabled one of his finest displays to date.

Embarrassing defeats have been plentiful under the current manager, though most have occurred outside Premier League competition. Old Trafford served as an impenetrable stronghold under Ferguson, but with Moyes in charge, United suffered home losses to teams like West Brom, Everton, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Scot experienced four additional defeats compared to Amorim across 34 league matches, yet his side allowed 13 fewer goals and maintained a +16 goal differential. United occupied seventh position when he was dismissed following a 2–0 loss at Goodison Park, whereas Amorim led the club to 15th last season, their poorest league placement since 1973–74, and they currently sit 12th after seven games of the new season.

The only direct encounter between these two managers concluded in a draw earlier this year, with Amorim's United recovering from a 2–0 deficit to secure a point on Merseyside.