Right from the moment he breezed through the doors at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal was a man with a plan. The first season, he stated, would see him deliver Manchester United back into their rightful place in the Champions League. He would restore them to the Premier League top four but loftier aims of silverware would have to wait. His three-year vision would allow for such thoughts but, first things first, United needed to be dining from European football's top table again. Louis van Gaal is close to delivering his first-season aim of returning Man United into Champions League . Wayne Rooney smashes home during Manchester United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday . United's win over Aston Villa took them third, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool in the table . April 12 Manchester City (H) April 18 Chelsea (A) April 26 Everton (A) May 2 West Bromwich Albion (H) May 9 Crystal Palace (A) May 17 Arsenal (H) May 24 Hull City (A) One season out of the Champions League was far from ideal, but two seasons would be an absolute disaster and something, he understood, that would not be tolerated. In November, even that was looking optimistic. A 1-0 defeat to Manchester City meant that United had taken just 13 points from their opening 10 matches - it was their worst start to a league campaign since 1986, when Ron Atkinson only lasted until November. They had also been humiliated in the Capital One Cup by League One side MK Dons. Once again, with a more than a hint of desperation, Van Gaal reminded everyone after the derby defeat that this was a long-term project. 'It's not good enough,' he said. 'But on the other hand, we are in a process, as I have said from the beginning. The process shall take more than one year, it shall take three years.' Suddenly, it seemed like Van Gaal was shifting the goalposts. Instead of finishing top four in his first season, was he now suggesting that United might only be worthy of those positions by year three? That didn't sound good. It took some time for United to hit their stride under Van Gaal but things have finally come together . United were again at their best in Saturday's 3-1 home win over Aston Villa, which took them third . United celebrate their title triumph in 2013 - Van Gaal's aim is to return such success to Old Trafford . But Van Gaal has been true to his word. Barring a catastrophic late collapse in form, United will be gracing the Champions League again next season. With an eight-point cushion established over Liverpool in fifth, United's faithful can look forward to those electric European nights against next season. Their failure to qualify for the continent's premier club competition this year is a mere blip, rather than a symbol of sustained decline. With matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City still to come, there is even far-fetched talk of United winning the title. Now that really would be an acceleration of the Van Gaal masterplan. That won't happen but there's no reason why United can't finish second or third, avoiding the necessity of a potentially tricky Champions League qualifier in August. United are on course, the plan is on track and Van Gaal can be satisfied. There are growing signs too that Van Gaal's team are looking like the Manchester United of old. Ander Herrera scored twice in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa at the weekend . Juan Mata, who scored twice in the 2-1 win over Liverpool, has been excellent under Van Gaal . Angel di Maria (right) has been mainly playing from the bench during United's recent good run of form . Radamel Falcao (right) has also had to be content with a place on the bench . The 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday was another indication that United are now a settled side. The fluent, possession-based football and the waves of attack that were hallmarks of the Alex Ferguson era are slowly beginning to return. Van Gaal, after trying what seems like a million combinations, has found the shape and system that best makes use of the resources at his disposal. It seems to exclude Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao - combined value £103.5m - but while the money men won't be happy, everyone else is. Now that United have manoeuvred themselves into a strong position in the top four, Van Gaal can regard his first season in English football as a job well done. But year two demands further improvement. United must mount a sustained challenge for the Premier League title and reach the later stages of the Champions League. Those are the expectations. Now we wait and see if Van Gaal can deliver.
Man United have an eight-point cushion from fifth-place Liverpool.
Van Gaal looks likely to deliver on his promise of top four finish.
But the Dutchman has a three-year vision mapped out.
Next season will have to see United mount sustained challenge for title.
They must also reach the later stages of the Champions League.