After Manchester United sagged back into the pack last season following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, it was wholly apparent they were going to have many obstacles to conquer before surging back to the forefront of English football.

Not only did the club have the enormous challenge of replacing the man at the helm of arguably the greatest footballing dynasty of all time, but they had to replenish an aging squad and fill the voids left by the retirement or departures of players of immense significance.

David Moyes couldn’t do it, for he didn’t have the requisite pedigree or time to lay the appropriate foundations. Indeed, the early indications during Louis van Gaal’s tenure suggested the Dutchman would also struggle with the enormity of the task at hand. But tentatively, the former Barcelona boss seems to have the Red Devils on the right track again.

Van Gaal will be the first to admit that United are nowhere near the force they once were, though, and subsequently they still have tests to tackle as they seek to claw their way back to the upper reaches of the game.

Securing UEFA Champions League football is imperative, the squad needs some replenishment too, and the strong mentality that was entrenched in the players under Ferguson needs to be recaptured. But wrestling back the derby day advantage from Manchester City would be just as massive a step for this side.

City have won the previous four matches between these eternal rivals comfortably, have secured two titles in the past three seasons and snatched glory from United in the most remarkable fashion back in 2012. At the moment, it’d be fair to say they have a massive edge over their city rivals; from a United perspective, that simply has to change.

In many respects, as City sought to establish their reputation as a juggernaut of the English game, seizing the initiative in the local rivalry paved the way for great things. Since losing the title to their neighbours in such heartbreaking fashion three years ago, United have yet to recover when it comes to these firebrand, while the champions—who used to cower at the sight of the red shirts—relish the occasion.

But as Van Gaal and United continue to build, it is they who will be hoping some derby day domination can help expedite their passage back to the summit of English of European football. It’s a bit too late for that this season of course, but it’s certainly a case of sooner the better for the Red Devils as they chase a win in this fixture.

Granted, in terms of tangible gains, there’s no more to be accrued from a derby match than any other matches on the calendar. But when it comes to intangible positives like momentum, confidence and a strong mentality, this is a fixture that will have major connotations on United’s development, regardless of the outcome.

Indeed, this is a club that’s used to being dominant, whether that be local, national or European. While under Ferguson the Red Devils approached these fixtures with a swagger and assurance, now the prospect of going up against City—who are a much more formidable proposition these days—prompts angst and apprehension. A win this weekend, would surely alter those perceptions.

There will few better opportunities for United to land a heavy blow on City either. The Etihad outfit have lost their last four games on the road in succession after all, with a host of players in the squad looking increasingly disinterested in the cause.

Manuel Pellegrini’s men still should have enough to qualify for this year’s Champions League, but the foiled charges in that competition, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the League Cup will surely prompt a massive overhaul in the summer. But right now, they’re there to be gotten at and their rivals will surely know that.

It’s a United team that looks up to the challenge. No longer do they resemble a mish-mash of fractious components striving for rhythm; now they’re cohesive, creative and after five wins in succession, as confident as the Red Devils have been since Ferguson walked out the Old Trafford exit door.

A win on Sunday may seem like something minor in the grand scheme of the Red Devils’ recovery, but the feel-good factor it would conjure around the club would surely prompt United to go on and secure a top-four spot. It would also be another pertinent box ticked as they continue their renaissance under Van Gaal.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJFootball