Monday 3 April 2017 22:47, UK
Despite extending his unbeaten league run as Manchester United manager to 19 games at the weekend, Jose Mourinho's record bears a striking resemblance to Louis van Gaal's first season in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Van Gaal's tenure is widely regarded as somewhat of a failure among United fans, having just scraped into the top four in his first season in charge, before then being unable to secure Champions League qualification for this campaign.
Mourinho's arrival as a tried and trusted success in the top flight brought about much excitement among those fans desperate for United to challenge for the title again, with hope turning more to expectation as Mourinho brought world record signing Paul Pogba in, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and other top talent.
However, despite not tasting Premier League defeat since the thrashing at the hands of Chelsea in late October, United - who won the EFL cup in February - are statistically no better off under the Portuguese than the much-maligned Van Gaal.
After 28 league games in his first season as United manager, Van Gaal had picked up 53 points at the United helm, including home and away successes over bitter rivals Liverpool before the end of March.
And, even though United have only been beaten just three times in 28 games this season, Mourinho's men are fifth in the Premier League table with an identical points return of 53.
Van Gaal had overseen 15 wins in those first 28 games - one more than Mourinho has masterminded - and scored four more goals than the current United crop.
Draws have been United's undoing this season, especially at home, where the 20-time top flight champions have been held eight times already.
In 2014/15, United went on to win the next four league games, including a 4-2 success over Manchester City, but one win in their last six saw them just about secure a top-four finish, with the jury still out on Van Gaal and his rather laboured brand of football.
FA Cup success in his second season couldn't save Van Gaal from being shown the door at Old Trafford, as a fifth-placed finish was deemed unacceptable.
And with United five points behind City in fourth, albeit with a game in hand, United fans may have to hope Mourinho can steer United to Europa League glory to ensure a Champions League football returns to Old Trafford next season, and further ensure Mourinho is afforded more time to turn things around.
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