Ole hoping to cut the gap on top-four rivals

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists consistency will be the key to the Reds gaining a top-four spot this season.

United return from the latest round of international games nine points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, but the boss still believes achieving a place in next season’s Champions League is a realistic aim.

Prior to the two-week hiatus from club football, the Reds had been in good form as we’ve won five of our last six fixtures in all competitions.

Ole knows if we can recapture that level of performance again, starting on Sunday against Sheffield United, his team can close the gap to the sides currently occupying the Champions League spots.

“Yeah, it's a clear gap in the league between the top four,” the boss admitted during Friday’s pre-match press conference, ahead of our trip to Bramall Lane.

“There are, I don't know, many teams, within a range of three or four points. So, for us, it's about consistency now and getting as many points on the board as we can.

“We turned a corner we felt, performance-wise and results-wise after the last international break, but, then again, it's so tight and I'm just looking forward to this game. We need to have a good performance and a result.”

As with every season, December could prove to be a hugely significant part of the year, with the Reds facing nine games in the final month of the calendar, including big clashes against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

For Ole, he knows wins in games against our top-four rivals could help United reduce the points deficit to those higher in the standings.

“We've still got to keep looking up the table,” said the boss. “It's so close, but it's a long gap up to the top four. We've got City next month, very soon, so we've got a chance to claw some points back.

“We know we're getting players back, we're getting better and improving as a team, so, hopefully, we can challenge when it comes towards the end.

“I've seen Marcus [Rashford] talk about it this week, it's not just about getting into the top four, but that's a little bit of a goal for us, of course.”