OLE: WE’RE MILES BETTER.. BUT NOT THERE YET

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes Manchester United are not “a million miles away” from challenging for the major prizes once again.

They are on course to finish second in the Premier League this season, a place better than last year, and are in the semifinals of the Europa League.

Solskjaer (right) is convinced they are not far away from challenging at the very top again, having beaten three of this season’s four Champions League semi-finalists – City, Chelsea and Paris SaintGermain. “When you watch the games and you know how well you’ve done against these teams, you know we’re not a million miles away,” he said.

“It’s about consistency. Sometimes fine margins go against you. It’s about improving again and taking inspiration from good performances and learning from the bad performances and results. But we are not in the era of Sir Alex Ferguson and we’ve had a transformation period since he left.

“That always would happen because there was nobody better and never will be.

“It was always going to be difficult to replace him.

“But it’s progress, step by step, and if we do that well enough, that’s when you get trophies and league titles which, of course, is our ambition.”

Tomorrow the Reds host Burnley, knowing victory will cut City’s lead to eight points with six games to go, with Pep Guardiola’s side involved in the

FA Cup semi-final. Under Sir Alex, United famously lost the Premier League to City from that position in 2012, when Sergio Aguero’s dramatic late goal on the last day clinched the title on goal difference.

Solskjaer does not expect City to crumble, however.

“Of course we’ll never give up,” he added. “This club has had too many great comebacks to give up. It’s in our DNA.

“But is it realistic? No, probably not.” 2 2