Louis Van Gaal Happy Manchester United Fans Can Taunt City After Derby Triumph

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal watched his side beat fierce rivals Manchester City 4-2 on Sunday, a win which lifts the Red Devils four points clear of their neighbours with six Premier League games remaining.

The Dutchman was particularly pleased for the fans, who he believes have room to brag after beating City 4-3 on aggregate across the season. LvG's comments were reported by David McDonnell of the Mirror: "We are at this moment four points ahead, so that's a fact," said Van Gaal. "This week, our fans can go out on the streets, heads up and say 'We are the better team, because the goal average is in our favour.'"

United have won six straight matches to put themselves into third place. Prior to beating City, huge wins over Tottenham and Liverpool moved the team closer to returning to the Champions League after missing out last year. City have lost four straight away matches and can no longer be considered genuine title challengers.

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With away matches against Chelsea and Everton on the horizon, not to mention a vital fixture against Arsenal on the penultimate day of the season, Van Gaal knows United still have plenty of work to do. McDonnell reported further comments after Sunday's win:

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So we can enjoy ourselves today and tomorrow, and Tuesday we have a day off. Then we have to prepare for a match against Chelsea away, and we’re not winning so many matches away, so that’s also difficult—and City are playing at home (against West Ham on Sunday), so the difference is maybe one point again.

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United did particularly well to respond quickly to Sergio Aguero's opening goal. City blitzed the home side inside 15 minutes, but once Van Gaal's men got hold of the ball and increased their tempo through midfield, there was only going to be one winner. Players such as Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini—both heavily criticised last season—once again underlined their terrific form.

Ex-Spurs striker Gary Lineker suggested United's run of form is ominous:

Phil McNulty of BBC Sport reported comments from City boss Manuel Pellegrini, who is taking the blame for his side's sudden drop of form: "It is my responsibility and the only way we can change this is by winning games."

Jon Super/Associated Press

United fans shouldn't get too excited until Champions League football is confirmed. Tough fixtures remain, and as highlighted by City, we've seen how easily a poor result can turn into a terrible run of form.

Any points away at Chelsea should be marked as a bonus for the club. United fans will want to follow their next game with a win at Goodison Park, however, and hope one of their top-four rivals slip in the meantime.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Matteo Bonetti recently discussed how the team can improve further next season:

While there's sure to be plenty of ribbing going on across Manchester on Monday, United know what it's like to be usurped by City at the last minute. Aguero's 2012 title-winning goal against QPR remains one of the division's most stunning moments and underlines the unpredictability of football. While a four-point gap is welcome, United need to keep improving.

Van Gaal knows this, and despite giving his players time to rest after the City win, he will get right back to work to succeed on his first-year objective of making it into Europe.