It is possible that they could go far in the Champions League itself, as their form is likely to get even better next season. However, their merit this season is largely from the fact that other teams such as Chelsea and Liverpool have been extremely poor this season. In fact if it was otherwise, it's unlikely they would have stayed in fourth place, I think their position would have been 5 or 6
Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with your opinion. It is reminiscent of the 2015-2016 scenario when Leicester City emerged as the champions of the English Premier League (EPL). The major teams did not perform consistently, providing a significant opportunity for Leicester to dominate the league table. Apart from factors such as luck and the exceptional generation of players they had at that time, the dominance of teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City, who are typically among the top contenders, was compromised as they were not at their best.
The illustrious name and the accomplishments achieved by Manchester United, along with Alex Ferguson, are undeniable. They truly deserve appreciation for that. However, since his retirement, it seems that Manchester United has lost its spirit and playing style, as evidenced by their failure to clinch the EPL title again. They have brought in David Moyes, Van Gaal, Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, all with the aim of winning the league, but luck has not been on their side. During the transitional periods, they have also relied on interim coaches such as Giggs, Carrick, and Rangnick, who took over as the main coach but were eventually dismissed due to their inability to meet the club's expectations.
Hopefully, Ten Hag can rebuild Manchester United and bring back the glory days reminiscent of the Ferguson era. At the very least, we can enjoy a fierce competition in the EPL, and they can establish themselves as strong contenders in the race for the Champions League.
Except that when Leicester City won the league, they performed very poorly in the Premier League the following season. However, they were good in the Champions League, reaching the 1/4 final and almost beating Atletico Madrid to get to 1/2. I remember that season, that match, the Foxes were really unlucky in the match then, but they were strong. It felt like they were only wasting their energy on the Champions League, bypassing the main league. Overall, the foxes' level of play was around 7th in the league all the time, except for the last season when they dropped out of the league below.
I don't think the same fate awaits MU, but if they put all their energy into the Champions League to prove something to anyone, it will undoubtedly happen