Mike Phelan believes Manchester United’s players have got their belief back under Louis van Gaal and reckons they will be serious contenders to win the Premier League.

A disastrous last season under David Moyes saw United finish seventh, a mammoth 22 points behind near neighbours and champions Manchester City.

With Van Gaal now at the helm, there is a sense of optimism ahead of the new campaign, heightened by an impressive pre-season tour of the US.

And Phelan, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand man at Old Trafford, feels it could be a memorable year for the club.

Asked if Van Gaal can lead United to the title in his first season, he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “I don’t see why not. Some people will probably scoff at that, but everybody is improving year on year.

“United did take a backward step a little bit, but it is well within their capabilities to surprise a lot of people and rise to the occasion. They look now as though they have got belief in themselves.

“Obviously pre-season is pre-season. They have got to come back now and get some consistency in the league but there will be excitement there.

“They have got, in Van Gaal, somebody with terrific experience and great motivation. Add that to the ingredients already at Old Trafford, in the supporters and the expectation. I’m sure they could be right up there.”