Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has claimed that his side are targeting second place in the Premier League, as well as overtaking rivals Manchester City after defeating Spurs at home on Sunday.
Man United produced arguably their most convincing performance of the season as Spurs were blitzed inside 35 minutes, with Louis van Gaal’s men storming to a 3-0 half-time lead.
The result left them two points behind their city rivals, and with Man City’s unpredictable form, Smalling is aiming to climb up the table over the next few weeks. The Manchester derby takes place at Old Trafford after the international break, and it could prove crucial.
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“It is all very close,” Smalling told the club’s official website.
“There is only a point between us and Arsenal, and I think it’s very open all the way up to second place, so we will be aiming for that, especially when we are playing those teams coming up.
“We want Champions League football back here at Old Trafford. It’s a must.”
Smalling was impressive in the game at Old Trafford at the weekend, with his composure and build-up play a feature van Gaal has been calling for in recent weeks.
The fixture list isn’t kind to Man United, and should they qualify for the Champions League, they would have definitely deserved it given the number of tests which await van Gaal’s men.