Sam Allardyce Taunts Louis Van Gaal and Slams Manchester United over David Moyes

Sam Allardyce has questioned Manchester United's transitional phase and has criticised the club for not backing former manager David Moyes with the financial power offered to Louis van Gaal.

Allardyce, who takes his West Ham side to Old Trafford on Saturday, indicated United are ripping their well-known character apart during the current period of change. He also insinuated that his side highlights how a transitional period should work, as reported by Shaun Custis of The Sun (subscription required) and via ESPN.co.uk:

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A normal United would have regrouped and won 5-3 at Leicester, not lost. You don't expect them to go under like that. Apparently they are in transition. But we've been in transition too and, while ours has been smooth, theirs hasn't. We've brought in nine new players and eight have gone out.

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The Hammers boss is a longtime associate of former United manager Moyes, who was sacked after failing to impress last season.

Moyes lasted just two transfer windows in the job, purchasing the much-criticised Marouane Fellaini in 2013 and Juan Mata in January. Allardyce believes the former Everton boss wasn't fairly backed when entering the market, especially as Van Gaal spent approximately £150 million during his first transfer window with the club, per ESPN.co.uk:

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If I was sat at home in David's shoes I would be wondering why they didn't spend the £150m with me. There was a complacency by United in not going out and delivering the signings David felt he needed. Now there's a panic on. He will obviously look at what he might have done better but he should have got the players he wanted and he tells me he didn't get any of them.

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Van Gaal brought in star names such as Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind during the summer. While Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw also arrived, they should be considered Moyes' targets who were later approved by the Dutchman, per James Dickenson of the Daily Express.

Many questioned Moyes' ability to consistently land world-class names while in charge of United due to his lack of titles and inexperience in the Champions League. It is possible some of the aforementioned signings wouldn't have been so enthused to play under the Scotsman, whose pulling power and experience stutters in comparison to Van Gaal.

Di Maria recently suggested he wouldn't be at United if it wasn't for the current boss, as reported by Perform (via ESPN.co.uk): "Van Gaal was really important for me, in order to come here. [He] was one of the first who spoke about bringing me here. The coach always has the last word about the players he wants. I am really grateful to him because, thanks to him, I am now playing for United."

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United will be on upset watch once again this Saturday. The Red Devils have won just once in five games this season, and despite the integration of new signings, they marked their most embarrassing defeat so far during the recent 5-3 loss to Leicester City. Throwing away 2-0 and 3-1 leads is unacceptable to any side, let alone the Premier League's biggest summer spenders.

Allardyce's visitors are primed to take advantage of any further United slips. The London side's recent win over Liverpool puts them two points clear of United, who will struggle to deal with powerful specimens such as Alex Song in midfield.

United's lethargic defence continues to deal with the fitness concerns of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans, per Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph. Tyler Blackett is also sidelined through suspension, meaning Van Gaal may be forced to deploy Rojo in yet another makeshift back line.

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As painfully noted during the defeat to Leicester, United's defensive problems are easily exploited and outweigh their attacking prowess. Enner Valencia's pace, combined with the running of Diafra Sakho and the creativity of Mauro Zarate, is enough to provide Van Gaal's side with real worries at the moment.

Allardyce is looking beyond long-ball tactics this season and is finally beginning to see a return on deploying a more controlled attacking outlook. Both Valencia and Sakho buzz with confidence and should be outlined as potential match-winners during the United contest.

Big Sam witnessed his side lose 3-1 during last season's corresponding fixture. Goals from Danny Welbeck, Adnan Januzaj and Ashley Young claimed the points in December, providing Van Gaal with hope that his side can repeat the performance.

Two vastly different teams will enter the pitch on Saturday, but as highlighted by Allardyce's comments and strategical changes, both have a major point to prove.