Manchester United Facing Defining Period After International Break

Manchester United have some of the most famous players in the world. But as a team, they're still an unknown quantity.

It should be no surprise. Louis van Gaal has only been in the job for a few months. And he's spent much of his short time at Old Trafford revamping his squad, bringing new players in and shipping others out. 

On top of that, any hopes he had of early consistency with his system and selection have been ruined by injuries and suspensions. He's already used 30 players in the Premier League this season, more than anyone else.

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The inconsistency extends to their performances and results. Exhilarating against QPR one week, atrocious for the last 30 minutes against Leicester the next. That's what happens when your team is full of wonderful attacking players but dangerously vulnerable at the back.

It means, after seven Premier League games, no one can be quite sure what United are yet. Are they only fighting for a place in the top four, or something more? 

Expectations heading into this season were unusually low after David Moyes' disastrous reign. But then Van Gaal spent more than £155 million on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera. 

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Van Gaal, like so many managers, is reluctant to set targets. His goal, he will tell you, is to win every game. But he won't need to set out United's aims after their next five games.

Six weeks from now, their ambitions will be far more clear. In the five games after the international break, United play West Bromwich Albion away, Chelsea at home, Manchester City away, Crystal Palace at home and Arsenal away.

Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford and their trips to the Etihad Stadium and the Emirates are the ones that stand out. Already into October and running into early November, it will be the first chance to see where United stand.

United's start to the season, losing two and drawing two of their first five games, means they haven't been talked about as title contenders. That has been reserved for Chelsea and Manchester City. 

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But even after a disappointing opening period, they're still fourth in the table after seven games, a point clear of Arsenal and Liverpool and only three behind Manchester City.

As Van Gaal said after the win over Everton, his team are not playing well. But what happens when Di Maria, Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie start clicking?

There's no reason why that shouldn't start against Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal. Seven points from those games, or even a win and two draws, and United fans might have to revise their targets for the season.

Whether it's success or failure in their first three big games of the season, United won't remain an unknown quantity for long.