Manchester United return to Premier League action today with a home game against West Bromwich Albion.
After a fantastic run, Louis van Gaal will be desperate to see his side bounce back from consecutive defeats at Chelsea and Everton, where in both matches his side have failed to find the back of the net.
Whilst the 1-0 loss at Stamford Bridge was unfortunate, last week’s 3-0 hammering at Goodison Park was perhaps the worst performance of the van Gaal era to date.
United still look set to finish the season comfortably in the top four, thanks to a late season collapse from bitter rivals Liverpool.
That will represent a decent first campaign in charge for the Dutchman, who has witnessed his side play some decent football at times, and score a fair few spectacular goals.
Here we have identified the best five of the season so far.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal the 5 best Manchester United goals of the 2014/15 season so far
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Angel Di Maria v Leicester
A few eyebrows were raised when Manchester United paid a staggering £59.6 million for Angel Di Maria in the summer. But this sublime goal against Leicester City in September went some way to suggesting it was money well spent – although his performances since have suggested otherwise.
The Argentine collected the ball from Wayne Rooney and drove at the Foxes defence before showing intelligence and class to coolly lob the ball over the goalkeeper under pressure. An early contender for goal of the season surely although it’s quality was overshadowed somewhat as United lost an unbelievable game 5-3 having led 2-0 and then 3-1.
Even Nigel Pearson was able to crack a smile at the final whistle.
Maraoune Fellaini v West Brom
The goal that proved to be the turning point in Maraoune Fellaini’s Manchester United career.
Sent on as a half time substitute with United trailing 1-0 at the Hawthorns, the Belgian gathered the ball on his chest on the edge of the box, turned a defender and smashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner to pull Manchester United level.
It was his first Premier League goal for the club, and a moment when Louis van Gaal realised he could call upon the £27million signing to make an impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzMPy0nMKkA
Robin van Persie v Hull City
Robin van Persie rediscovered his goalscoring touch in style in late November as United beat Hull comfortably 3-0. The Dutch striker took the ball on the edge of the box, went past one defender before smashing the ball into the top corner to end his own mini goal drought, and steer United towards another three points at a time in which they started to gather some momentum under Louis van Gaal.
Wayne Rooney v Aston Villa
A goal that summed up the quality Wayne Rooney possesses.
The Manchester United captain has looked far better in a central strikers position in recent weeks, and this strike against Aston Villa proved just that.
The England man plucked a cross from Angel Di Maria out of the sky, turned, and fired a stunning right footed half volley into the roof of Brad Guzan’s net, to wrap up another three points for United in the race for the top four.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQnKNaKopRY
Juan Mata v Liverpool
Juan Mata is another who has seen his Manchester United career take off over the second half of the season, and this spectacular winner at Anfield ensured he will be forever be fondly remembered by United fans – no matter what he does from now on.
The Spaniard had already fired the visitors in front in the first half, but his second goal of the game was simply sublime.
Timing his run to perfection, the former Chelsea man produced an outrageous angled scissor kick from Di Maria’s pass to wrong foot Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal, and send United on their way to a famous win over their bitterest rivals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8eWY2NHKO4
