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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stopped short of saying his team were contenders for the Premier League title after a close 2-1 home win over Aston Villa put them right up there with the champion and leader Liverpool.
Liverpool visits Southampton and United travels to Burnley ahead of an appetizing clash at Anfield on January 17, albeit facing eerily empty terraces due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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United appear capable of mounting their first real challenge for the Premier League title since 2013, when they won their 20th crown last season from Alex Ferguson in charge, but their former protégé Solskjaer refused to let go.
“Of course we are happy with what we are doing,” Solskjaer told the BBC. “We have shown that we have improved a lot in one year. We are getting fitter and stronger.
“These players are very old. They are learning and they are hungry to learn what is important. They come every day hungry and wanting to be the best on match day. They have been focused.”
But Solskjaer also criticized his side for attempting too many bold passes rather than simple ones against a stubborn Villa side that came close to snatching a draw after being subdued by aggressive United pressure in the first half.
“Maybe it was a little too open and we wasted opportunities. We tried to play the Hollywood pass instead of securing the first one and using the space that was there,” he said.
“You’re always delighted with three points. We had a good save at the end and Eric Bailly made a fantastic block, so he probably saved us two points.”
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith backed referee Michael Oilver’s decision to award United a game-winning penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes, given after a VAR control when Paul Pogba fell to a challenge from Douglas Luiz.
“My opinion was that it was a penalty from where I was standing,” Smith said.
“I thought Douglas Luiz got too strong with Paul Pogba, but then I went in and saw him back and I think he tripped. I think there is enough doubt there to send the referee to the screen.
“I wasn’t happy with the first half. We were miles from the levels we’ve been at. It felt like a testimonial pace, then they deserved the lead at half time. I told the players we had to improve our levels. “
