Luke Shaw believes Manchester United can challenge Liverpool for the Premier League title and says it would be “silly” to write off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
United are just a point behind second-placed Leicester and just five adrift of champions Liverpool with a game in hand on each.
Solskjaer’s men hammered Leeds 6-2 on Sunday and face one of their most difficult matches so far against Leicester on Boxing Day.
United’s home form has been poor, but away from home they have a 100% record and Shaw says it would be foolish to write off their chances of becoming champions.
Speaking before the win over Leeds, Shaw told Sky Sports: “The way the Premier League is going at the moment, I think it would be silly to doubt us. I think at this moment in time, it’s anyone’s really.
“The team that takes charge, goes well over the Christmas period, and wins all their games, I think have got a very good chance.
“We just need to try and get consistency in our game, because we can’t keep having one good game and dropping off and then having one bad game. There’s no way you can mount a title challenge like that so I think we need to keep consistency and see where it takes us.
“The Champions League really hurt, but I think performance-wise if we get that consistency, then we’ll be in a much better place than we are already. Of course, we’ve got lots to improve on, all teams do at times, but if we can keep improving and keep that consistency, I’m sure we’ll be in a much better place.”
Shaw admitted that rival teams have lost their fear factor at Old Trafford; Solskjaer’s team had scored just three home goals before the rout over Leeds.
“With Old Trafford, we need to make that a stadium where people fear to come again,” Shaw added.
“I think teams are maybe not feeling that way anymore, especially with some of the results we’ve been having and the way we’ve even played.
“I think we do create chances and sometimes we just lack that final-third ball – that Bruno’s normally superb at – but at home we haven’t been as sharp and as good. We know we need to improve.”
Solskjaer desperate for silverware
Meanwhile, Solskjaer insists his side are desperate to win a trophy having gone three seasons without silverware.
United’s last triumph came in the 2017 Europa League final under Jose Mourinho but, since his departure and Solskjaer’s appointment, the cupboard has remained bare.
A Carabao Cup quarter-final, albeit it against an in-form Everton side tonight, represents a good chance to end that run and – despite their improvement in the Premier League – the Red Devils boss knows silverware provides additional validation.
“Of course it’s something we’re aiming for,” said Solskjaer, who won nine major trophies as a player at Old Trafford.
“We want to improve every season and to improve on last year is to get to the final and, of course, when you get to the final there’s only one thing that matters and that’s to lift the trophy.
“I remember myself winning my first trophy. Even towards the end of my career, I think it was Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic’s first trophy in the Carling Cup, 2006 was it?
“I think that was their first trophy and it does give something to a team.
“We are desperate to get our hands on a trophy, these players are desperate to learn how to win.”
The post ‘Silly’ to doubt Manchester United in Premier League title race, says star appeared first on teamtalk.com.
Matthew Briggs
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