Erik ten Hag has seen enough from Manchester United in recent games to give him belief that the team is not far away from a consistent run of form and results.
The Reds have made an inconsistent start to the campaign, not helped by a series of injuries to the squad, but Saturday's 1-0 win over Luton Town keeps us in touch with the top four.
The Old Trafford victory over the Hatters, secured by a rare goal from Victor Lindelof, helped United put aside the disappointment of the midweek defeat to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
It was also Ten Hag's 30th win in his first 50 Premier League games – the most of any United manager.
Watch the best moments from our first-ever Premier League meeting with Luton Town...
“That is a nice achievement but, in this moment, I can't do anything with it,” the boss admitted. “I have other concerns.
“What is important is we are not always playing that well this season but you've seen we're stepping up – in Copenhagen and also this performance, creating a lot of chances. I think it gives belief for the future, as I've said, that we're not that far away.
“So, when we start playing very good football, what this team is capable of, then we are competitive for the top four. I'm convinced of that.
“I'm sure other teams will have their setbacks. We already had a lot of setbacks. We dealt with it and now we have to overcome that and step up.”
Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are among United's injury absentees, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed Saturday's game through injury and both Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen were forced off.
But Ten Hag is pleased with how his squad is coping for the most part – particularly in the Premier League, in which the Reds have now won four of the last five.
“We are also stepping up – even with the team we have, we often have to change,” the boss continued. “We are stepping up, with better football, better performances.
“In the last five league games, we won four and, as you know, it's not easy to win games in the Premier League because every one is a battle. I'm pleased with that. It is a signal that we are in the right direction.”
Koeikoruz
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the problem is that united fans don't know what they have until they loose it, I'm saying that ETH is a good coach but time is needed i want everyone to look at Arsenal arteta is the coach arsenal want but this is arteta seventh year in arsenal and all the past year wasn't as good as last season/ this season. mourniho once said it, man utd are looking for quick glory and they don't want to be patience, man city became the best premier league team of recent because of their investment from the past, man city already won premier league before pep took over, pep did little work and turn them to the best, Arsenal arteta brought player in and it took them many seasons before they became a good team, same for Liverpool, but man utd are looking for instant wonders as a Manchester United fans i want man utd to give erik ten hag a lot of time to get this team back up, don't forget it took sir alex Ferguson theee season before he won his first trophy for united and the rest was history, erik is the quickest man utd manager to hit 50 wins and 30 premier league wins.