Manchester United fans took a lot of stick last season after they dropped from being the Premier League champions to finishing seventh in the space of 12 months.

The Red Devils are bouncing back in 2014-15 however, and despite a slow start that saw them pick up only two points from their first three games, Louis van Gaal’s side head into this weekend’s round of games in the UEFA Champions League places.

United have won three of their last four, scoring 11 goals during this run that has seen them leapfrog the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, all whom were expected to compete for a top four finish this season.

Carbon Sportsbook have Manchester United as fourth favourites for a Top 4 Finish.

Here are five reasons why we believe Manchester United will qualify for the Champions League this season:

1. Ángel Di María

The Argentina international has only made five Premier League appearances since his British transfer record move from Real Madrid. Yet already Ángel Di María is one of the best players in the Premier League. Aside from drawing 0-0 with Burnley on his debut, it’s fair to say the 26-year old has hit the ground running with three goals and three assists since.

Di María is capable of opening up any defence in the world, as shown previously during his time at Real Madrid. The Premier League has been warned and clubs are going to struggle to deal with both the Argentine and the attacking players around him that his trusty left foot picks out.

2. Louis van Gaal

There was certainly some discontent amongst the impatient United fans during his first three games in charge, but Louis van Gaal didn’t become a bad manager overnight. His CV says four different teams and at least one league title next to each of them. This may be his toughest challenge yet but he’ll certainly build a squad capable of competing with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Manchester United’s weak point to start the 2014-15 season has been the fragility of the defence. Van Gaal turned a bunch of youngsters into one of the best defences at the World Cup whom didn’t concede a single goal in their final 3.5 games in Brazil. If the current crop of defenders fail to deliver, the January transfer window opens after another dozen games where he can invest.

3. Goals, goals, goals

One of the most fearful attacking units in Premier League history. Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao – being supplied by the likes of Ángel Di María, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera.

Manchester United have been scoring for fun in their past four matches since the summer transfer window closed. They look capable of scoring at will against a number of defences in the Premier League this season. West Brom could become the latest victim on Monday night.

4. Slow start is over

There were concerns after three games this season – no doubt they dropped valuable points against the likes of Swansea City, Sunderland and Burnley that other top four challengers won’t. Now that the slow start is over, United look capable of beating almost any Premier League opponent.

Louis van Gaal’s side face Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal in three of their next five fixtures. However, if they’re to finish in the top four, perhaps results aren’t crucial against these sides but rather the other 16 they face between now and May? Unless they want to win the league of course…

5. Liverpool are weaker

Liverpool finished runners-up in the Premier League last season but they currently don’t look anything like the side they were back in May. The sale of Luis Suárez has certainly left its mark on the Merseyside club.

Mario Balotelli has looked useless in his first few games for the club and there’s no sign of a defensive improvement to the side that allowed 50 goals last season. The money received from the Suárez deal has been spent all across the squad but none of the arrivals are considered World Class. Manchester United look stronger than Liverpool right now.