Harry Maguire sets Manchester United target and highlights clear next demand

Defender Harry Maguire has suggested clinching a top-four finish will still represent an underwhelming season for Manchester United. United boosted their prospects of clinching Champions League qualification for next season with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Villa Park last Sunday after Scott McTominay stepped off the bench to head home a dramatic winner to clinch a third successive league win.

As a result, United cut the gap on fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur to six points. They also move to within five points of Villa, who are currently one place above the Reds in the standings.

But with around a third of the season remaining, the Reds, as Maguire has admitted, are playing catch-up in pursuit of a top-four berth.

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Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports, said: "We've had a good period but that's it really, we're still not where we want to be, we're still playing catch-up on the points tally but it's been a nice few games for us. We've got another big game at the weekend [vs Luton Town] and then another big game the weekend after, because that's what it is now.

"We're playing catch-up with the points so we've got to take each game as it comes and make sure we get the three points. At the start of the season, we didn't set our goals to be in the top four, we set bigger challenges than that but now we know where we are, we're realistic.

"We've got to reach Champions League football because it's what this club demands and it's where it needs to be next season."

Three successive league wins has resurrected United's hopes of securing Champions League qualification for next season, and Maguire will be key in