text: The romantics will pick Sean Dyche or Ronald Koeman, the statistics lovers will go for Jose Mourinho or, at a push, Arsene Wenger. But for me there is one standout contender for manager of the year and that's Louis van Gaal. Think about what he walked into and what he was expected to achieve in a short space of time. You can only be impressed. The stricken patient was fading fast, but the Dutch doctor hasn't just stuck plasters over the wounds, he's breathed life into a giant and resurrected it back to rude health. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is among those in the running for manager of the year . United's players celebrate together during the derby win against rivals Manchester City . Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and Juan Mata celebrate during the 4-2 win against City . Manuel Pellegrini is punching above his weight at City... the club MUST think big or forever remain small . Forget Eden Hazard and Michael Carrick... the best player in the Premier League this weekend was Leicester's Jamie Vardy . How stupid do some English football 'experts' look now? After the early-season defeats at MK Dons and Leicester City, they were laying into Van Gaal. They should have known better. When a manager as great as Van Gaal turns up in the Barclays Premier League, we should all be grateful to witness his genius at close quarters. So while he was busy trying to rectify the massive problems he inherited at Manchester United, there were too many who couldn't wait to hammer him for every single slip-up. And now they've all gone quiet as United cement their place in the top four. Job done – so far, at least. The critics will probably say he hasn't won anything. Listen, United were seventh last season, their defence was decimated in the summer, and this season the two big signings – Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria – have, for different reasons, failed to hit the heights they achieved previously. Marouane Fellaini celebrates scoring in this brilliant photograph taken by Sportsmail snapper Ian Hodgson . Despite all of that, Van Gaal has taken United back to where they wanted to be – into the top four. In fact, it's mid-April and United are still in the title race (unlikely, but they're just a point behind Arsenal so of course they're still in it). Sunday's derby victory was utterly convincing. And it highlighted one of the biggest strengths of Van Gaal's reign at United so far – the way he has worked with and improved individual players. All of a sudden Ashley Young looks brilliant – it wasn't just Sunday, he's been arguably United's best player this season. How many managers could have made Young look convincing in a United shirt? At the start of the season I was asking the question about Chris Smalling and Phil Jones – could they make the centre-half spots their own? I think that question is still pertinent, but those two played very well against City and are starting to look the part in the Old Trafford back four. Players once moaned about, such as Fellaini and Young, are now pivotal parts of the team under Van Gaal . Van Gaal’s belief in the value of repetition has worked and players like Young and Fellaini have benefited . Michael Carrick looks indispensible again, when even I was doubting if he would recover from the David Moyes debacle. And who knew Marouane Fellaini could be so influential for Manchester United? Even Van Gaal's decision to give Wayne Rooney the captaincy looks inspired. He's had a brilliant season and he's led the United resurgence on the field superbly. Impressive stuff, so all the critics need to calm down and pay a bit more respect to Van Gaal, he deserved a better reception from the English football public based on his career record alone. A little more than a year ago Manchester United were humiliated at home by City. Van Gaal has single-handedly raised the sinking ship back to the surface, steadied it, and got it sailing full steam ahead. He just needs to add a bit of polish next season. Angel di Maria (third right) and Radamel Falcao (right) were left out of the starting XI by Van Gaal on Sunday . Van Gaal shakes hands with his opposite number Manuel Pellegrini after the final whistle at Old Trafford .
target: Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City: Click here for the match report .
  Louis van Gaal is in with a shout of winning manager of the year .
  Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and Southampton's Ronald Koeman are too .
  Sean Dyche could be in if he saves Burnley from relegation .
  ADRIAN DURHAM: Man City must think big or forever remain small .