Erik ten Hag has called upon his side to be focussed amid their improving form and suggestions they could even be title contenders.
After a slow start to the season, Manchester United have come up on the rails to move level on points with third placed Newcastle, and to within nine points of league leaders Arsenal.
The Red Devils have won all four of their fixtures following the Premier League’s post-World Cup restart, and have done so without conceding a single goal, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro earning rave reviews for their influential performances.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola even named-dropped United as potential title challengers in saying the pair have the advantage of less expectation as we approach the second half of the season.
Aside from climbing into the top four, United have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the League Cup and the last 32 of the Europa League, and kick off their FA Cup campaign against Everton on Friday night.
Speaking ahead of that game against the struggling Toffees, Erik ten Hag said his side were in a good position, but insisted he wasn’t thinking about any potential title challenge.
“You don’t know, but let’s say we are in a good position,” he told his pre-match press conference. “We are where we want to be but [we] still go from game to game, we play in many competitions, focus from game to game and don’t think too far ahead.
“We have to go from game to game, think about and work on that progressing, it’s all about that as a team, first thing and then individual as individuals get better.”
The Dutchman has already admitted that he wants to bring silverware to Old Trafford, though insists it is too early to be thinking about winning honours this season.
“I don’t think about that. It’s in this stage of the season you are not looking at that.
“We have to get into a position you can win something and I know the season is taking long, especially with such a lot of games ahead. Then don’t get distracted. When you think too far ahead, you get distracted. Focus on the team progress adn team development, it’s all about that.
“We have many elements in our game we have to improve.”
