Giggs: Time For Top Form

The wait for Manchester United's return to
action following the international break – albeit
extended due to a Monday-night trip to West
Bromwich Albion – is almost over and with it
comes a potentially crucial period for the Reds
to assert some authority on this Barclays
Premier League campaign.

The extra day or two could prove beneficial to
Louis van Gaal in his preparations for the trip
to the Hawthorns as the full squad assembles
on Friday at the Aon Training Complex, with the
last of the international Reds returning from
various far-flung destinations around the
world.

Before the break in play for globe-trotting
friendlies and Euro 2016 qualifiers, van Gaal's
men claimed a top-four spot qualifiers with
consecutive wins over West Ham and Everton,
and the target now is to stay there through a
run of testing matches that could give the
clearest indication yet as to the burgeoning
progress of the Dutchman's new-look United
team.

The fixture list has paired the Reds with West
Brom, Chelsea, Manchester City, Crystal
Palace and Arsenal for the remainder of
October and deep into November.

Former United defender Gary Neville described it as
"an exciting time" and added: "It's going to be
an important few weeks. [Against] West Brom,
Chelsea and City we'll find out exactly [the
level] the team is at this season."

Jose Mourinho's runaway league leaders
provide arguably the sternest test of the lot
when they visit Old Trafford, while away
clashes with City and Arsenal ensure this spell
will challenge the Reds to the full.

Below is United's next Five fixtures in full.

20 Oct West Brom A
26 Oct Chelsea H
02 Nov Manchester City A
08 Nov Crystal Palace H
22 Nov Arsenal A