New Delhi: Louis van Gaal will need to get all his tactical experience in shape as Manchester United step in a crucial journey ahead with a tough set of fixtures in the Premier League showdown. After the team's exit in the FA Cup quarters against rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday, United's only solace lie in a top four finish in the EPL.


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The Manchester giants who had a disappointing campaign last term, lie fourth in the Premier League table and face an in-form Harry Kane hurricane when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial encounter at Old Trafford this coming Sunday.


Spurs lie sixth in the table and are only three points behind Louis van Gaal's men. United are vulnerable at the moment despite two back to back wins in the Premier League. Their performances have been a shadow of their expectations, and a lack of cohesion and vibrancy have been a contributor to their patchy performances. Despite their irregularity, United lie in a pivotal place in the table and Van Gaal knows the road ahead will be tough.


In United's 10 remaining matches in the EPL season, they face high flying Liverpool after the Spurs game and have tough fixtures against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal. These six games could be the turning point for United's fortunes and dictate terms for them.


After a hefty transfer package spent on players and a clear-out process taking place last summer, Louis van Gaal would have expected a better return from his newer resources. Apart from Daley Blind, none of United's newer recruits has convinced their moves to the manager and the fans alike.


Radamel Falcao's degradation from first team action to United's reserves, the chaos in United's defence and lack of ideas from Angel di Maria and Robin van Persie has hurt the team badly.


Pundits have stated that it would be a catastrophe if United fail to achieve Champions League football, and it is true that would be a killer blow for everybody concerned after a trophy-less season.


Now what lies ahead is a run of matches that the United players need to fight for and get results to give Van Gaal an account whether who deserves to be in the loved red shirt next season or else there will be a huge culling of the squad as the team will then be more desperate for glory.


No matter what lies next, Manchester United currently hang by a thread and Louis van Gaal needs to hold on to the precious position that matters most.