ERIK TEN HAG has told his players to be within striking distance of the title come April, then go for it.
Manchester United are just five points off top spot, which is currently held by neighbours Manchester City on goal difference from early pace setters Arsenal.
The Red Devils have barely been talked about in what was seen for a long time as a two-horse race.
But Arsenal have taken just one point from their last nine available while City have lost two of their last six – including in the derby to United.
Ten Hag said: “What we have to do is put ourselves in the right position in April.
“It's about us doing things right and we have already been in this rhythm for many weeks.”
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United take on Leicester on Sunday after returning from another confidence boosting away performance.
Having beaten Leeds last Sunday in the Prem, they earned a creditable 2-2 draw against Barcelona in their Europa League play-off first leg in the Nou Camp as they aim to progress into the last 16.
But it is the Champions League where United want to be next season by sealing a top four place – even if eventually the title itself is eventually out of their grasp.
Ten Hag said: “We are going in the right direction but we have to fight for it.
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“There are two ways we can get back, one is through the Europa League the other is in the Premier League so we know what we have to do.
"We have to do it game by game and fight to get back into the Champions League.”
It certainly felt like a Champions League tie in the Nou Camp as United came from a goal down to lead 2-1 before Barcelona levelled it up to set up a cracking second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.
The game came in the middle of a relentless run of fixtures with United the only team in the country still battling on four fronts, but Ten Hag says the players are thriving on it.
He said: “The players in our squad like it.
“They like to play big games and they know also as a team and individuals that you grow from such games.
“Now we are better players, a better team, we are going in the right direction so we have to keep this process.
“Sunday is the next game, the next big game.
“We have to collect the three points against Leicester and that demands a lot of energy and it demands high standards
“We are enjoying our togetherness at the moment. It’s really enjoyable to work.”
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While talk off the pitch is about a potential takeover with a deadline for bids on Friday, Ten Hag is concentrating on the football.
He said: “They informed me how the process will go. I focus on football.”
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