Manchester United fans have been struggling with a Monday morning hangover more than most, having spent until late last night celebrating their thrashing of Manchester City in the Football Transfer Tavern.
City have enjoyed the better of the derbies in recent years, but United restored local bragging rights and all but cemented a top four finish with perhaps their performance of the season yesterday.
Louis van Gaal has restored the faith at Old Trafford with six consecutive league victories, with some supporters going as far to suggest a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next week would give them an outside chance of sneaking the title.
This season that certainly looks a long shot, but we see no reason not to believe Louis van Gaal will have his side challenging for the championship next season.
Here we have identified five reasons why.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 reasons why Manchester United can win the Premier League next season
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Van Gaal has found a system – at last.
At times this season it has been a case of too many square pegs in round holes for Louis van Gaal.
A 4-4-2, a 3-5-2, and a 4-2-3-1 have all been tried at various points of the season, but injuries have allowed the Dutchman to stumble across a 4-3-3 formation which really seems to suit the players he has at his disposal.
Importantly the formation change has also allowed Wayne Rooney to move into his preferred position of central striker, and has given United a blueprint to work with and develop further going forward.
Summer signings have more to offer
How many teams would have the luxury of bringing Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria off the bench when leading 4-1 in a local derby?
United were able to do just that on Sunday, and whilst Falcao is unlikely to make his loan move permanent in the summer, Angel Di Maria and some of the other summer signings are only going to improve next season you feel.
Luke Shaw will show his worth once he returns to full fitness, and Di Maria and his fellow Argentine Marcos Rojo will have learnt plenty from their first year in England.
United have only seen glimpses of their club record signing at his best, so the idea there is more to come is a particularly exciting one.
They can sign pretty much whoever they like
United have spent more than £200million in less than two years, yet they are expected to spend even more in the summer.
Louis van Gaal’s side look to have all but secured Champions League football for next season, and that will allow them to attract even more of the world’s best players.
Two new centre backs, a new striker and a world class winger are believed to be on van Gaal’s radar this summer, with the likes of Mats Hummels, Paul Pogba and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale having all been linked at various points – signings that any side in the world would be delighted with.
Other challengers haven’t been at it
Last season saw Manchester City and Liverpool finish in the top two, but this term they have seriously disappointed.
Arsenal were out of the title race by November, and never seem to learn from their mistakes, whilst Chelsea have faded since their Champions League exit, and have hardly been the most exciting team the Premier League has ever seen.
To put it simply, there is not much to fear at the moment if United can up their game. Chelsea look set to walk away with the title this term, more down to the fact nobody else has been able to put up a decent fight pretty much from the word go.
Of all the ‘challengers’, it is United who seem to be rediscovering their identity at the right time. Louis van Gaal will be wishing they had done so a month or so earlier this season, as there may have been a chance of nicking the title of Chelsea this season.
Mata, Fellaini and Young are like new signings
There have been times over the past 12 months in which Ashley Young, Maraoune Fellaini and Juan Mata have all been linked with moves away from Old Trafford.
Yet the trio have seemingly saved their United careers, having proved themselves key players in the recent run that has seen van Gaal’s side record six consecutive victories.
From being linked with exit’s in the summer, all three look as though they are set to play a major part in a United title challenge next season alongside reinforcements, and those signings made last summer that are only going to get better.
