Ander Herrera says Man Utd's form should have their top-four rivals worried

Ander Herrera believes Manchester United
Ander Herrera believes Manchester United's rivals should be worried

Ander Herrera believes Manchester United’s form will have their rivals worried as the race for the top four heats up.

United are on a 15-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and although Jose Mourinho's side sit sixth in the table, they trail second-placed Tottenham by just five points.

Sunday's 3-0 victory at reigning champions Leicester moved United to within two points of the top four and Herrera is convinced momentum is building.

Highlights of Man United
Highlights of Man United's 3-0 win over Leicester on Sunday

"That's what we want," Herrera said when asked if those above them will be worried about United.

"I think the fight with the first six teams in the league - and I add also Everton because they have a very good team - will be very tough.

Ander Herrera of Manchester United plays a game at the launch of a TAG Heuer Special Edition Manchester United Co-Branded Watch at Old Trafford
Ander Herrera of Manchester United plays a game at the launch of a TAG Heuer Special Edition Manchester United Co-Branded Watch at Old Trafford

"We all want to be in the top four and there's still a lot play for, but I think we are in a good moment. They can see 'Man United is chasing us'.

"It is true that we did not win three games in a row before Leicester, but the feelings were good. I think we deserved more away at Stoke and against Hull at home, so I think we are in a good moment.

"We are fighting for a lot of things. Three competitions plus the Premier League, the race for the top four. I think we have a lot of things to play for. All the players in the squad want to play as many games as possible."

Manchester United are hoping Jose Mourinho (R) can revive the glory years they enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson (L)
Manchester United are hoping Jose Mourinho (R) can revive the glory years they enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson (L)

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United have finished 7th, 4th and 5th in the league while last season's FA Cup is the only major piece of silverware they have won.

That is not what is expected from a club with United's history and resources and both of Mourinho's predecessors, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, paid for failing to qualify for the Champions League with their jobs.

Whether United will exercise more patience with Mourinho if he fails to finish in the top four remains to be seen but Herrera is confident the table will look different at the end of the season.

"We didn't finish higher because we didn't deserve to finish higher," Herrera said, speaking at the unveiling of the TAG Heuer Manchester United Watch Collection. "I think football, sooner or later, is fair. Now I think we look stronger. People can see that."

When reminded that they are sixth right now, the midfielder interjected: "Still sixth. Wait, it's not finished yet. I think we have more points than last season and two seasons ago. The opponents are also better than the last two seasons.

"Sometimes in __football there is no explanations, so the most important thing is when we finish the league we'll talk again."

United have struggled for goals this season, scoring 36 times in their 24 league games which is at least 10 fewer than the five teams above them

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 15 Premier League goals so far this season
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 15 Premier League goals so far this season

Mourinho has admitted United are overly reliant on the goals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who tops the club's scoring charts with 15 league goals, and Herrera admits he is conscious of the fact he has yet to find the net in the Premier League this season after managing nine league goals over the previous two.

"Of course everyone wants to help the team to score," Herrera added. "I try. I am shooting as much as I used to do but I remember in the first season I shot eight times and scored eight goals.

"Football is like this, sometimes you put the ball on target and sometimes don't. I will keep on improving, keep trying to help the team.

Ander Herrera, David de Gea, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic attend the launch of a TAG Heuer Special Edition Co-Branded Watch
Ander Herrera, David de Gea, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic attend the launch of a TAG Heuer Special Edition Co-Branded Watch

"But I think Zlatan, Marcus (Rashford), Juan (Mata), Micki (Henrikh Mkhitaryan), (Anthony) Martial, Wayne (Rooney) will give us a lot of goals and I will keep fighting defensively for the team as well."

Herrera was speaking at the unveiling of the TAG Heuer Manchester United Watch Collection. The new TAG Heuer special edition Manchester United watches will be sold at the Manchester United Megastore boutique as well as selected TAG Heuer retailers. The collection is also available online at www.store.manutd.com and www.tagheuer.com

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