Manager Louis van Gaal was sold to Manchester United supporters as the man to bring the club back to glory. And while the first half of the season was anything but convincing the Dutchman has lead the club to the highly coveted top four.

Fourth would have been enough for supporters at the start of the season but as the campaign starts to wrap up, United have a chance of finishing the year off even higher than expected.

Top of the table Chelsea have all but had their name inscribed on this year’s trophy but with only two points separating second and fourth the Red Devils still have everything to play for.

Second place or even just holding onto fourth will not be easy though as United must still play difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal not to mention what may be a very decisive Manchester derby.

Against both Tottenham, who they beat 3-0, and Liverpool, who they beat 2-1, United have shown that they can overcome some of England’s best and it is this mentality that they will need to pick up crucial points in the next few weeks.

United have tried several different set-ups under Van Gaal in a bid to find a winning formula. Five at the back proved unsuccessful, so four defenders has been implemented recently where the Dutchman has employed a 4-1-4-1 system finally playing Wayne Rooney up front with Juan Mata supporting him as playmaker.

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Where he was once used as a super-sub, Mata is now an integral part of the team and the same goes for Marouane Fellaini. The inclusion of both players has transformed United’s season with the squad better in both midfield and attack. Leaving out £59.7 million man Angel Di Maria may not sit well with some supporters but with his form seriously off for awhile now and Van Gaal shouldn’t risk United’s qualification just to appease the ex-Real Madrid winger.

Earlier in the season, United picked up only four points from playing English giants Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City so they will need to improve as they play them a second time or ensure that they win all of their other remaining fixtures.

United have won 17 of their 30 games this season with only five defeats so if they can continue this form from now until the end of the campaign then their fate should be in their own hands. If not then it can easily turn into a dog fight between themselves, Liverpool and Southampton who are hot on their tails and desperate to be playing in Europe.

Both Manchester City and Arsenal will fight every step of the way to secure their place in the Champions League but with such tight margins there is no reason why if United maintain their confidence, as well as their tried and tested formation, then a second place finish is certainly possible.

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