Former Wales international Robbie Savage believes that Louis van Gaal should receive more criticism for the start he has made with Manchester United.

Despite spending around £150m in the summer transfer window, United have taken just five points from as many games, and having already played the three newly-promoted sides, Savage has questioned why Van Gaal is being given "an easy ride".

Speaking in his column for The Mirror, the ex-Leicester City midfielder said: "Let's stop beating around the bush - Louis van Gaal has made a hash of his first six games at Manchester United and he is getting an easy ride.

"If David Moyes had come up with the same results at the start of his short-lived reign at Old Trafford 12 months ago, he would have been fried for breakfast.

"After five Premier League games last season, Moyes was two points better off than Van Gaal at the same stage this year - and Moyes' start included Chelsea at home plus Liverpool and Manchester City away. And he's been humiliated in the Capital One Cup at MK Dons for good measure."

United were beaten 5-3 away to Leicester City in their last game, and host West Ham United this weekend.