As he gazed across the tranquil Bay of Biscay on his regular Sunday walk along San Sebastian's promenade, a wry smile may have appeared on David Moyes's face.

Not because his new employers have opened the season with two clean sheets (they haven't scored either) but because Manchester United's morale-sapping 2-1 defeat at Swansea City means that his successor has now reached 50 games in the Old Trafford hotseat - and his record is almost identical.

Louis van Gaal has had half a century of matches. Of those he has won 27, just like the Scotsman. He may have three more draws but the Dutchman has delivered exactly the same number of victories.

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Louis van Gaal has won 27 of his opening 50 matches at United, exactly the same as David Moyes managed

Moyes was not given time at United and after 50 games, he had been judged and the end was nigh

At this point in Moyes's short stint at United, he had been judged. The verdict had been delivered, all that was to come was the execution.

So what of Van Gaal? Can he be judged?

Some would say so.

Since he took over, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has spent more than £200m. If you include Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw he has brought in 12 new players and got rid of twice as many. And yet still United are lacking in certain departments.

It is an apparently scattergun transfer policy the equivalent of a small child on Father's Day morning going to the fridge, picking out all his favourite things, putting them on a tray and taking them upstairs to dad. It is a nice sentiment, but chocolates, strawberries and Coke do not really do the job when all you need is coffee and a croissant.

Moyes, on the other hand, spent £64.6m on two players before he was unceremoniously punted.

Van Gaal (right) has spent over £200m on transfers since arriving at United, on players like Memphis Depay

A wry smile may have appeared on the face of Moyes when he heard Van Gaal's win record is the same as his

Despite the above, nobody seems to be calling for Van Gaal's head.

There is a belief within the corridors of power at Old Trafford that the manager, this manager, will get things right.

His track record suggests as much.

An abrasive personality, Van Gaal himself admits that players take time to adjust. At AZ Alkmar, he offered to resign when, after two near misses, his team finished 11th. After being convinced to stay, they won the Dutch title for only the second time in their history.

His confidence is infectious and he seems to be made to be a Manchester United manager.

When Van Gaal was at AZ Alkmaar (pictured), he offered to resign when his team finished 11th in the league

If United sign a centre back and a striker to lift the burden on Wayne Rooney, they could be close to clicking

But fans are beginning to ask how long it will take before United start being United again.

It may not be as long as you think.

The full back issue appears to have been solved with Luke Shaw looking like he is back to his best and Matteo Darmian going about his business quietly and effectively on the right. Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger have proven quality in midfield and Memphis has shown glimpses of his huge potential.

A number of United signings appear to be working... Matteo Darmian (right) has proved effective on the right

Bastian Schweinsteiger has brought proven quality to the midfield and United can be dangerous this season

As crazy as it sounds after more than £200m has been spent, another splurge on a striker to lift the burden from Wayne Rooney and a left-sided centre half to come in at the side of Chris Smalling and they should not be a million miles away while the goalkeeping situation should be solved before the window closes on Tuesday.

It is also important not to forget that we are only four games into the season.

Van Gaal has time... time Moyes did not get.