Opinion | Home and Away: United to become champions? It's all in the stars

Could it be the sun's solar flares interfering with the English Premier League? Bursts of radiation from our life-giving disc are known to disrupt communication systems and frazzle our brains in mysterious ways, as well as make the TV go all fuzzy. The appearance of the EPL table has certainly been topsy-turvy in recent weeks - with Southampton, West Ham, Swansea and Newcastle the closest challengers to runaway Chelsea. After four wins on the spin, Louis van Gaal's team is - as United fans often chanted during the glory days - once more 'marching on' and, more importantly, upwards Meanwhile, the traditional top clubs - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United - have been running about like worried sheep in a lunar-lit field, scared of their own shadows and that of Jose Mourinho's. But as we enter the league's toughest month, normal service is showing signs of resumption. Manchester City are powering their way into Chelsea's orbit and Arsenal are on the up, squeezing out last-gasp wins from tricky games. Liverpool and Tottenham remain works in progress, but both show potential for stabilising. And then there is Manchester United. You know the world is working when swallows return in summer, Christmas Advent calendars have a piece of chocolate behind each numbered window - and when United are in the top four. After four wins on the spin, Louis van Gaal's team is - as United fans often chanted during the glory days - once more "marching on" and, more importantly, upwards. Van Gaal is proving to be very different tactically when compared to the defensive-minded Moyes and the derring-do attack-minded Alex Ferguson. The cool Dutchman likes to control games through possession and to build pressure. The play might not be as thrilling as two seasons ago, but at least it's working. Signs of mutiny on the terraces have subsided and there is evidence of more patience among fans when United appear to struggle in the first half of games, as they did against Stoke midweek, before squeezing out three points. Obviously, the absence of European games is helping, allowing Van Gaal more time to drill home his tactics on the training pitch and classroom ideology. Naming Wayne Rooney as skipper is paying off, too. The striker has, as Van Gaal predicted he would, found the maturity to lead by example. For it is Rooney who is setting the determined, competitive workaholic boilerplate for the whole team - and the club's leading goalscorer is less petulant than when under Ferguson. Fears the summer spending spree on Angel di Maria, Ander Herrera and others had signalled a loss of faith in young players appear unfounded, with Van Gaal picking youngsters like defenders Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair to play alongside their headlining colleagues. Like Ferguson, Van Gaal has also shown faith in players who can improve, especially goalkeeper David de Gea, who in the eyes of many was "too weak to hack it in the EPL". De Gea has pulled off a string of outstanding, point-winning saves. Pundits also hail the recovery (albeit a delicate one) of Michael Carrick and rightly so. His return has proved pivotal in United's revival and it's no coincidence his presence during the past month has seen the team embark on their best run of the season. True, opponents no longer fear the endless waves of attacks as they did when Fergie was marshalling from the technical area. But there is no doubting the unconquerable spirit blatantly absent last season under Moyes is back. The players' work rate is increasing and, as one commentator put it, "even Marouane Fellaini breaks into a sweat". Imperatively, Old Trafford is once more a fortress after United lost eight times at home last season. Deconstructing and rebuilding along elemental lines has fortified belief and since the Swansea shocker on opening day, United have won six of their seven home matches, and drawn the other 1-1 against Chelsea - seven testing games that have yielded 15 goals with only four conceded. Few title contenders can boast of having the likes of Marcos Rojo, Radamel Falcao, Carrick, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Herrera and Januzaj waiting in the wings. United as champions come May might be too ambitious for some. But whatever you do, do not adjust the dials or squint at the fuzzy table. Disturbances to the natural order of things appear temporary.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Chelsea continue to lead the table but don't be surprised if Van Gaal's men rocket to the top now that they are hitting their stride

Chelsea continue to lead the table but don't be surprised if Van Gaal's men rocket to the top now that they are hitting their stride