---
title: "Title contention doesn’t surprise van Gaal"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/04/03/title-contention-doesnt-surprise-van-gaal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Match Previews"
published: "2015-04-03T14:00:46Z"
modified: "2015-04-14T16:13:19Z"
---

# Title contention doesn’t surprise van Gaal

**Louis van Gaal has claimed he is ‘not surprised’ by Manchester United’s late push as title contenders in the Premier League.**

Welcoming Aston Villa to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, the Dutchman will be aiming for a fifth consecutive league victory while currently sitting in fourth position. Despite initial suggestions Chelsea would run away with the title as early as Christmas, the gap has now been closed, and just eight points separate first from fourth.

The climax has bought considerable difference to the opening day of the season, in which the Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swansea City, before the recently appointed manager drew a wealth of criticism for his signings and irregular changes to the tactics and formation.

However, the change in form has come as no surprise to the 63-year-old, who will be preparing for fixtures against the top three in the coming weeks. Still to play Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal, a potential nine points could be the difference between glory and heartbreak come the squad’s final trip of the season to Hull City on Sunday 24th May.

“You never know. I have said at the end we shall find out,” he said. When we had 30 points out of 11 matches at that time there was a lot of criticism but I said we should find out at the end of the season.

“It’s still a rat race and Tottenham and Liverpool are still in. Of course we have dealt them a blow but we have to play against the first three. It can happen a lot.

“Still, we can win the title, mathematically. I’m not surprised. We are working day in day out and we have to see how players respond because the way I train, which I’ve explained a lot of times, is not easy for players. It’s a whole process.

“We started at the bottom, unconscious, capable and then your next step is conscious and incapable. And then it is conscious and capable.”

While the likes of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie are yet to live up to their potential this season, as the campaign begins to draw to a close, van Gaal has received merited praise for the developments of a number of stars. Ander Herrera has been a monumental figure in the side’s success this season, while fellow midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata have proved their worth after big-money signings in recent years.

The Dutchman added: “Maybe we are now in the last step of that process. I hope so. What I’ve seen in the last five matches I think so but we have to wait and see because if you lose two times in a row you are not so sure any more.

“I have thought after the Liverpool game after the international break that it was not the right moment but when I see my players performing in the national team, I’m very pleased. It confirms my view about players.

“Every match that a player plays can give them confidence. We trained yesterday not with the total group because they need recovery. The players that could train did a very good training session so I think we can continue in a good way against Aston Villa. What I’ve said already is that every team in England can beat you.”

Manchester United could rise to second with a victory against Tim Sherwood’s side on Saturday.