Man Utd resurgent

In only four weeks, new manager Louis van Gaal has revived Manchester United to such an extent that they approach the 2014-15 Premier League season brimming with rediscovered optimism.

Emboldened by his achievements at the World Cup in Brazil, where he steered his native Netherlands to the semi-finals, the straight-talking 63-year-old was quick to make his presence felt at United. From upbraiding the club for organising an arduous pre-season tour of the United States to instilling a new 3-4-1-2 formation, he has wasted little time, and the players have responded with unabashed positivity.

"He's a tough manager, but he's been great since he came in," said striker Wayne Rooney, after United beat Liverpool 3-1 in Miami to win the International Champions Cup friendly tournament.

"He's given us all a different way of looking at football, which we haven't had before. It's been great for us and hopefully that will continue."

United were in the doldrums after finishing the 2013-14 season in seventh place, which was their lowest final placing since 1990 and deprived them of European football for the first time in 25 years.

Van Gaal, who succeeded the sacked David Moyes, said that he had inherited a "broken" squad, but he immediately hit upon a playing system that worked.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach was heralded for his decision-making in Brazil -- such as the brazen move to send on substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul for the penalty shootout win over Costa Rica in the quarter-finals -- and his early calls for United have also proved successful.

He has successfully blended new signings Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw into his starting XI, while previously marginalised players such as Darren Fletcher and, in particular, Ashley Young appear rejuvenated.