Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his side to look beyond just finishing in the top four and challenge for silverware this season.
Having endured their worst start to a season in 30 years the club have slipped to nine points adrift of the Champions League places, though they have shown a recent upturn in form by winning five of their past six fixtures in all competitions.
Ahead of this weekend’s trip to fifth-placed Sheffield United, Solskjaer admits a significant gap has opened up between the top four and chasing pack, but says his side will continue to search for consistency as they seek to bridge the gap.
“It is a clear gap in the league between the top four and then there are, I don’t know how many teams within a range of three or four points.
“For us it is about consistency, getting as many points on the board as we can. We felt we turned a corner performance wise and results wise after the last international break but then again it is so tight.
“I’m just looking forward to this game, we need to have a good performance and result.”
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Man United‘s win over Brighton before the international break lifted them to fifth in the Premier League, and Solskjaer insists the club will continue to look to climb the division over the coming weeks.
Forward Marcus Rashford this week spoke out and said United should be targeting silverware this season, a view echoed by Solskjaer who says securing a top four finish is not the club’s sole priority.
“We’ve still got to keep looking up the table. It is so close but it is a long gap up to the top four. Nine points… we’ve got City next month, very soon.
“We’ve got a chance to close some of the gap. We know we’re getting players back and improving as a team.
“Hopefully we can challenge when it comes to the end. I’ve seen Marcus talking about it this week – it’s not just about getting into the top four. That is a little bit of a goal for us of course.”
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