article_snippet.sent: In second, meanwhile, Manchester City, one senses, have stopped looking ahead and started to glance over Manchester City, one senses shoulder.
article_snippet.sent: On Saturday's  , for example, a win for Manchester United over Aston Villa would take Louis van Gaal ’s team above City, who don’t play until Monday night’s engagement at Crystal Palace.
article_snippet.sent: Louis van Gaal knows victory over Villa on Saturday could see those teams listing a little leapfrog Manchester City into second place .
article_snippet.sent: While Louis van Gaal says Manchester United are mathematically in the title race, Louis van Gaal says the top-four battle is not over either .
article_snippet.sent: Asked if second place was now a realistic possibility, the Manchester United manager said:
article_snippet.sent: I cannot deny that because we have Manchester City at home next week.
article_snippet.sent: But Manchester City is a top team so Manchester City shall not be easy.
article_snippet.sent: Manchester City’s better to be second or third.
article_snippet.sent: And when Manchester City’s not first, Manchester City’s second.
article_snippet.sent: On Friday, Van Gaal conceded that it was ‘mathematically possible’ for United to win the league.
article_snippet.sent: everybody else associated with the club would certainly enjoy the sense of discomfort City will undoubtedly feel if they find they looking at the backs of United’s heads by the close of play on Saturday.
article_snippet.sent: City only have they to blame for what may yet become something of a predicament.
article_snippet.sent: but if City find themselves in themselves wake on Saturday