Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has urged his players to maintain consistency if they are to become serious contenders for the title.
Ten Hag, who has a successful track record of winning trophies, including a Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two years at Old Trafford, is aware of United's eagerness to restore the glory days and clinch the Premier League title.
And he emphasised the need for his team to be consistent throughout the season, not just show flashes of brilliance.
"We will again challenge for the Carabao and FA Cup so it shows we are competitive and can beat every opponent," stated the United boss. "That's what we proved in the last two seasons. We beat Liverpool, we beat Man City, but our challenge is to bring consistency and I say that with all respect against lower-class teams.
"I don't think there are lower-class teams in the Premier League and to win the points, I think other teams are ahead of us. There we have to catch up."
Ten Hag's comments come after United's unexpected FA Cup victory, which overshadowed a disappointing Premier League season marked by a series of undesirable records. The club suffered their worst Premier League campaign with 14 losses, an eighth-place finish, and 58 goals conceded.
They ended the season with a goal difference of minus one, prompting ten Hag to call for improvements in transition to bolster their leaky defence.
"Our reactions when we lose the ball can be better, our decision making after we lose the ball can be better," he said.
"We worked in pre-season on this issue, but in the last few days we had the whole squad in, and it was the first time I could work with the whole squad on those issues. I addressed it, but it will take time to fit this in, but we have to fit this in."
United have refreshed their squad by signing 18-year-old Leny Yoro and 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee, with the latter expected to make his debut at Wembley in today's Community Shield against City.
Zirkzee, who is just starting to make a name for himself with The Netherlands after making two substitute appearances at Euro 2024, has excited ten Hag following his £36.5million move from Bologna.
"I think for every player coming into a new league, it takes time," he said. "For every player coming into Premier League, we all know the intensity is higher in comparison with the other leagues, but already he has experience. He was a player in Belgium, Germany and Italy so he has already a lot of good experiences and that will help him. We have to help him make the step."
Zirkzee will be expected to chip in with goals this season at United, and Ten Hag is also confident Marcus Rashford will shine after a disappointing campaign last time out.
Rashford was not included in England's Euro 2024 squad after scoring just eight goals last season, and Ten Hag is desperate for the whole team to help him out.
"Rashy, we all have seen on tour he was very lively, in a very good shape already," he said. "We expect a lot as we expect from the whole team this season.
"There are so many reasons you can list [for his dip in form]. There will be part which is down to the individual, but definitely also the team. There are many reasons why a player is not performing and we will help him."
