Manchester United on the rise though can they keep it up?

Van Gaal now has options. Michael Carrick, at the age of 34, is still a class act and him alongside Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin gives United a balanced combination, though with Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Herrera, he can decide to substitute refinement for physicality and directness if the occasion calls for it.

One thing that remains a headache is captain Wayne Rooney and what his best position is. Clearly, he is not a centre forward, which begs the question whether the club need another out-and-out striker, if Depay and Martial are deployed in the channels.

Bringing Matteo Darmian from Torino seems a savvy signing for £12m and he has given the team an equilibrium at full back, being just as good in defence as attack. Another inspired decision was to utilise Blind at centre half with the impressive Chris Smalling and the duo have since struck up a superb relationship.

Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments has been the injury to Shaw, who looked the real deal in the opening games, however Rojo is a more than capable option in this position, despite the fact that Darmian switched to the left for the match against Sunderland with Antonio Valencia deployed down the right.

The biggest success story so far though, without a doubt is Martial. All of a sudden the side look dynamic in attack, with the 19-year-old already showing enough potential become one of the best in the world and emulate Cristiano Ronaldo. While it is important for fans not to become too carried away, there are certainly encouraging signs.

It is the next month that will determine whether United have what it takes to win the league. They have tough fixtures including Everton and Arsenal away from home, plus a match against fierce rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford.

United, historically, though have been the type of side who have got better as the season progresses, however, things are looking up, with Van Gaal taking them top of the Premier League for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.