LONDON: Manchester United's tentative resurgence will be tested this Sunday when Louis van Gaal pits his side against a Chelsea team slowly finding their feet under his countryman Guus Hiddink.
It is only two weeks since United were booed off at Old Trafford after a 1-0 home defeat by Southampton, but consecutive wins -- 3-1 at Derby County in the FA Cup and 3-0 at home to Stoke City in the league -- have convinced Van Gaal that his side can still win the title.
United go into the weekend 10 points below leaders Leicester City in fifth place and five points below the Champions League berths.
"We don't have to exaggerate, but I have the feeling if we shall beat Chelsea -- although that is very difficult, because under Guus Hiddink they don't lose -- then I think our league is starting again," Van Gaal said.
"Michael Carrick said to me and I have the same feeling, the competition is not yet finished, not for Manchester United or the other teams.
"We have the feeling, and that's because we are winning twice in a row and with sparkling football."
United played with scarcely seen enterprise against Stoke, rejuvenated captain Wayne Rooney scoring his seventh goal in seven games and Anthony Martial capping a flowing move by curling in a goal that left the pundits purring.
But United remain a puzzling team and Van Gaal continues to be dogged by speculation about his future, with reports emerging on Friday that the club's hierarchy have made an approach to Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December.
The excitement sparked by the announcement of Pep Guardiola's impending arrival as Manchester City manager has only served to underline the sense of uncertainty hovering over the dug-outs at both United and Chelsea.
Mourinho's shadow looms large above Van Gaal's head, while Hiddink knows that he is only keeping the seat warm for whomever Chelsea decide to appoint as the long-term successor to the Portuguese.
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