Has Louis van Gaal had his ‘Mark Robins moment’?

Sir Alex Ferguson was famously on the brink of losing his job at Manchester United in 1990 before a Mark Robins header saw the Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest.

That win saved the United gaffer his job and ultimately proved to be the starting point of a dominant era in English football.

Now after seeing off Derby County 3-1 and following that up with their best league performance of the season so far in the 3-0 win over Stoke, it appears current boss Louis van Gaal may just have had his ‘Mark Robins moment’.

United fans have longer memories than some and it will take more than a one-sided home win over the Potters to convince the Stretford End that the Dutchman should stay for the long haul but the manner in which the Red Devils swatted Mark Hughes’ men to one side means there is a cause for optimism.

United were cheered off at half time last night – after scoring their first two first-half goals in 12 home games – and that is in stark contrast to the treatment LVG and his side received after the dismal 1-0 loss to Southampton just two weeks ago.

Van Gaal, a stubborn man at the best of times, seems to have relented somewhat of late and allowed his attacking players more freedom.

Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and even Cameron Borthwick-Jackson seemed to relish this new-found freedom last night to provide some of the best football seen by United in the post-Ferguson era.

United remain 33/1 shots to win the league this season and at 10 points behind shock leaders Leicester it could be a dream too far. Cement a top four spot at 11/8 though and Van Gaal just might get the time to prove he is a worthy successor to Fergie’s throne.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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