Fact: Louis Van Gaal was a much better Manchester United manager than Jose Mourinho

JOSE AND VAN GAAL

LOUIS VAN GAAL is a better manager than Jose Mourinho- and that’s official.

As Mourinho finds his odds of getting the sack reduced for the second time this season after the 3-1 loss at Watford, it’s worth comparing his record with Van Gaal’s of a year ago.

The fact is that after five games in 2015/16 United were third in the table with 10 points, one less than eventual champions Leicester City and five worse off than then leaders Manchester City.

This season United have nine points after two successive league defeats, not to mention a Europa League blank at Feyenoord in between the Manchester derby and the upset at Vicarage Road.

Mourinho opened up with a flourish, winning his first three league games.

But the wheels have come off since and The Special One finds himself under early-season pressure with Ladbrokes making 8-1 (from 21-1) to get the boot before the end of the season.

Said Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes: “With every defeat the odds of Mourinho getting the boot before the season is out are cut. Even at this stage of it looks like United might have a scrap on their hands for a top four spot unless they turn things around quickly.”

Van Gaal was much maligned at Old Trafford and was removed from his post in May.

But the Dutchman certainly wasn’t under so much pressure after the first five games of last season as Mourinho finds himself now.