Stats: Where does Louis van Gaal stand on 0-0 results compared to other Manchester United managers?

Yet another 0-0 result for Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United side

When Manchester United drew with West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday, they were booed off the pitch at full-time. One can’t blame the fans, this was their third consecutive draw in all competitions. To make matters worse, this was the Red Devils’ fifth goalless draw in the last nine games in all competitions.

While Louis van Gaal has been credited with bringing Champions League football back to Old Trafford, it is his “philosophy” that has been questioned by the fans. The Theatre of Dreams has been accustomed to watching exhilarating, attacking football with the never-say-die attitude always shining through. Sir Alex Ferguson’s sides were a treat to watch and always had opposing sides cautious when they played the Red Devils.

But under Van Gaal, the side has stagnated in terms of attack. Although they are the best side in the league with respect to defence – they have conceded the least in the Premier League (10) – it is their attack that has been questioned time and again.

With the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial in the lineups over the past two seasons, Van Gaal’s sides have struggled to get on the scoresheet on a number of occasions. Indeed, this season has seen the number of shots on target fall to abysmally low standards – one that has United fans cringing and hoping the next game would be better.

Sir Alex Ferguson managed more than a 1000 matches in the league but only 6.9% of thos games ended 0-0

A look at United’s history also suggests that Van Gaal has completely changed United’s identity. No other manager has had more 0-0 draws in the league than Van Gaal. With a benchmark of having managed at least 50 games in the league, the Dutchman has seen 13.2% of United’s matches end 0-0.

In contrast, famous managers such as Louis van Gaal (6.9%) and Matt Busby (5.2%) find themselves way down in the list. Even David Moyes (who managed 34 matches) saw only two 0-0 draws in the league – 5.9%.

PERCENTAGE OF 0-0 RESULTS IN THE LEAGUE

RANK	MANAGER	GAMES	% 0-0 RESULTS
1	Louis van Gaal	53	13.2%
2	Jack Robson	116	10.3%
3	Dave Sexton	168	9.5%
4	John Chapman	206	9.2%
5	Tommy Docherty	188	9%
	Ron Atkinson	223	9%
7	Frank O’ Farrell	64	7.8%
8	Wilf McGuinness	65	7.7%
9	Ernest Mangnall	330	7.6%
10	Walter Crickmer	98	7.1%
11	John Bentley	86	7%
12	Herbert Bamlett	188	6.9%
	Sir Alex Ferguson	1035	6.9%
14	Scott Duncan	224	6.3%
15	James West	51	5.9%
16	Matt Busby	985	5.2%

Stats via OptaJoe

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