The younger contingent of Manchester United's support were not used to witnessing what they did last term.

With Sir Alex Ferguson gone and David Moyes at the helm, the Red Devils lost 12 times on their way to finishing a measly seventh.

Louis van Gaal is the man that has been charged with the task of repairing the damage and here, Sports Mole has reviewed how the Dutchman has fared during his opening five months in the Premier League.

August

It was all change at Manchester United over the summer, with the arrival of new manager Van Gaal followed by a £150m splurge in the transfer market to bring in such stars as Angel di Maria, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera.

However, that sense of renewed optimism was quickly burst as United's Premier League campaign got off to the worst possible start when they were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City at Old Trafford.

They picked up their first point the following week against Sunderland, while a 0-0 draw away to Burnley meant that the Red Devils had taken just two points from a possible nine - not exactly a blazing opening to Van Gaal's reign.

Add to this a humiliating 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the second round of the League Cup and you had a less-than-happy set of fans and players on the red half of Manchester.

September

With just the league to focus on for the next few months, United picked up their first victory in ruthless style as they hammered Queens Park Rangers 4-0 on home turf thanks to goals from Angel di Maria, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney.

Then came one of the most enthralling matches of the season so far. Louis van Gaal's side moved into 2-0 and 3-1 leads against Leicester City, yet they were pegged back both times before somehow losing 5-3. If anything, this game defines the shakiness of United's defence in recent times, with inexperienced players such as Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair needed at the back due to a lengthy list of injury absentees.

They went some way to erasing that defeat from their minds in their next game, beating an in-form West Ham United 2-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, though Rooney's participation was cut short when he was sent off for unceremoniously kicking out at Stewart Downing.

October

David de Gea proved how valuable he is to the side when they welcomed Everton to Old Trafford at the start of October. The Spaniard saved a Leighton Baines penalty and pulled off a string of fine stops to deny the Toffees late on as United earned a 2-1 victory - the first time that they had put together two consecutive wins since the start of the season.

An entertaining 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion followed this, while a 1-1 draw with Chelsea suggested that the never-say-die attitude of the Sir Alex Ferguson years was still present among the squad.

With league leaders Chelsea 1-0 up through Didier Drogba and on the verge of a hard-fought victory, Van Persie fired the ball home from a corner with seconds remaining to send Old Trafford into delirium.

November

The first Manchester derby of the season arrived at the start of November, but it was to be a disappointing day for United as they went down 1-0 to their local rivals.

Their cause was not helped in the first half when Chris Smalling was sent off after picking up two yellow cards. Down to 10 men and hanging on for dear life, the visitors eventually cracked as Sergio Aguero netted the decisive goal with 25 minutes left.

Despite losing to the champions, United embarked on a six-game winning run by beating Crystal Palace before earning three important points at Arsenal.

The Gunners were dominant on a high-octane afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, but it was the away side who came away with the spoils thanks to an own goal from Kieran Gibbs and a late strike from Wayne Rooney. The match was also notable for another fine display from David de Gea, who looked almost unbeatable between the sticks.

A largely positive month was then completed with a comfortable 3-0 triumph at home to a struggling Hull City.

December

The good times continued to roll for United with narrow wins over Stoke City and Southampton respectively, with the latter result coming thanks to two goals from Van Persie.

Then came Liverpool at Old Trafford. Last season's fixture saw the Merseysiders humiliate the Red Devils with a 3-0 win, but this time it was United who triumphed 3-0 over their bitter rivals with goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and a rejuvenated Robin van Persie.

Their six-game winning run came to an end when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, with Radamel Falcao netting for the visitors, but normal service was resumed the following week with a resounding 3-1 victory at home to Newcastle United.

The year was brought to a close in the capital as an lively 0-0 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur made sure that United will head into 2015 on a nine-game unbeaten run.

Star player so far: Wayne Rooney

Must do better: Chris Smalling

Where they need to strengthen in January: Defence

Position at the start of 2015: 3rd

Mid-season Grade: B

To see Man United's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.