Manchester United took 110 weeks to return to top spot in the Premier League... but can their current form last after fast start?

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Manchester United will remain at the top of the league for the next week
The Red Devils have only previously been in first spot for few days
Louis van Gaal's United returned to top of league after win over Sunderland
Here, Sportsmail looks at six games during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era
READ: Man United manager Van Gaal bemoans Premier League 'rat race'

Published: 05:55 EST, 27 September 2015 | Updated: 04:58 EST, 28 September 2015

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One hundred and ten weeks. That is how long it's been since Manchester United fans could gloat about their side sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table for a whole week.

A lot has changed since United finished the 2012-13 campaign as league champions under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The legendary boss has retired, his successor David Moyes has been sacked and Louis van Gaal became the first non-British or Irish manager to take over the reins at Old Trafford.

Here, Sportsmail lists six key games which have shaped United's rise back to the top of England's top-flight league.

Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United (September 22, 2013 - 8th in the Premier League after weekend)

Losing to two of your biggest rivals inside your first five Premier League games is not exactly the best way to win over your new fans. However Moyes, who was supposed to be the perfect replacement for Ferguson as he was cut from the same cloth as his fellow countryman, saw his side lose to Liverpool before being thrashed at the Etihad Stadium.

United were 4-0 down after 50 minutes and to add insult to injury, Moyes' only major summer signing - Marouane Fellaini - could get nowhere near Yaya Toure during the course of the 90 minutes.

Wayne Rooney scored a delightful free-kick with three minutes left on the clock but it was little more than a consolation for United's travelling support.

Starting line-up: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Rooney, Welbeck

Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney look embarrassed and dejected as they acknowledge their supporters

Manchester City playmaker Samir Nasri celebrates at the Etihad after scoring his side's fourth goal

Everton 2-0 Manchester United (April 20, 2014 - 7th in the Premier League after weekend's fixtures)

Moyes' short reign came to an end following his side's 2-0 defeat at the home of his former side. How ironic.

Moyes, who had lost the support of United's dressing room, was supposedly informed of Danny Welbeck's desire to leave Old Trafford on the morning of the game.

And United's board decided to wield the axe after it was confirmed they could not mathematically qualify for the following season's Champions League campaign. Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas scored the goals to confirm the inevitability of Moyes' departure.

Ryan Giggs took control of United on a temporary basis with the help of his Class of 92 team-mates Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.

Starting line-up: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Buttner, Mata, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Kagawa, Rooney

Bookmakers Paddy Power mock David Moyes as someone dressed as the Grim Reaper stands behind him

Moyes (pictured with Rooney at Goodison Park) left the club after failing to get the best out of his players

Leicester 5-3 Manchester United (September 21, 2014 - 12th in the Premier League after weekend's fixtures)

The experienced Van Gaal, fresh from leading Holland to the World Cup semi-finals, was brought to the club in order to steady what was slowly becoming a sinking ship.

He was allowed to bring in high-profile players such as Angel di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera after being given a hefty transfer budget by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

However his first few months at the club did not exactly go to plan. His side's loss at the King Power Stadium came after an opening-day defeat by Swansea and an embarrassing capitulation at the home of MK Dons.

This defeat was a crushing blow to Van Gaal, who said it was his 'worst day' at the club, as United were 3-1 up until the 62nd minute. The Red Devils were 12th in the league after five league games.

Starting line-up: De Gea, Rafael, Rojo, Evans, Blackett, Di Maria, Blind, Herrera, Rooney, Falcao, Van Persie

United were beaten 5-3 by Leicester despite leading 3-1 at the King Power Stadium up until the 62nd minute

Then-Manchester United striker Robin van Persie looks disappointed after his side's shock 5-3 defeat

Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City (April 12, 2015 - 3rd in the Premier League after weekend's fixtures)

United were locked in a battle with rivals Liverpool to finish inside the top four and more importantly qualify for the Champions League.

They needed wins and quick so to follow up victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa with a 4-2 triumph over Manchester City was a big result for Van Gaal.

Goals from Ashley Young, Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling ensured United hit their noisy neighbours for four in front of their owns fans.

United's momentum ended there however, as they followed up the result over City with defeats by Chelsea, Everton and West Brom.

Starting line-up: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Mata, Herrera, Carrick, Young, Fellaini, Rooney

Daley Blind, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young are among the players to congratulate Juan Mata after his goal

England international Smalling celebrates in front of the Old Trafford faithful after rounding off the scoring

Everton 3-0 Manchester United (April 26, 2015 - 4th in the Premier League after weekend's fixtures)

Two weeks after beating City and just as United looked to have regained their fluency, they were brought back down to earth by the blue half of Merseyside.

Van Gaal's returned to the scene of Moyes' last game as manager and the result and performance was just as bad as the previous year.

James McCarthy, John Stones and Mirallas burst their bubble to pile pressure on Van Gaal and his side.

Despite failing to claim a point in three successive games, United finished fourth to qualify for Europe's top-tier competition.

Starting line-up: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Shaw, Mata, Blind, Herrera, Young, Fellaini, Rooney

Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea reacts angrily after John Stones' goal put Everton 2-0 up

Louis van Gaal and his coaching staff look on from the substitutes' bench as their side are beaten 3-0

Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool (September 12, 2015 - 3rd in the Premier League after weekend's fixtures)

Three points, a win over your rivals and a teenage star was born.

Daley Blind and Herrera gave United a 2-0 lead before Christian Benteke scored a spectacular bicycle kick to get his side back in the game.

Step forward Anthony Martial. The Frenchman, who cost an initial fee of £36million, scored within 21 minutes of coming off the substitutes' bench to make his Premier League bow.

He hasn't done too badly since either...

Starting line-up: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Mata, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Depay, Herrera, Fellaini

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial scored within 21 minutes of coming off the substitutes' bench

Van Gaal congratulates De Gea after his side's impressive victory over north-west rivals Liverpool

The Premier League's current top six

So can United's form last?

The key question is: can Van Gaal's side continue their form throughout the next few weeks and months?

He has the personnel to compete with Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal for the title but we will get a better indication of their aspirations to finish top after their next three league games.

United will come up against Arsenal, Everton and City, with Champions League encounters against Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow sandwiched in between.

Martial seems to be the ideal No 9 for United due to his pace and coolness in front of goal but he is likely to have a dip in form due to his age.

Their defensive set-up looks solid at the moment but injuries would severely hamper their title charge.

Only time will tell if United can win the title but they are definitely in a much better place than they were under Moyes and during Van Gaal's first year at the club.