Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be disappointed if his players believe they are out of the title race.
The Red Devils are someway away from the Premier League summit at the moment.
But they do have two games in hand on league leaders Liverpool.
Six points from those games would put them only two behind the Reds, starting with an away game at Sheffield United on Thursday.
"This is a big run of games for us. After the Villa game on New Year's Day, we have a little bit of a break in the league. This period is going to be vital and it'll be easier for me to answer around that time," Solskjaer told reporters.
"I'd be disappointed if the players didn't think we can put a challenge up.
"At the moment, anything goes in the league. There are different reasons for different results.
"I feel we're getting better but we have to improve quite a bit to take that next step as well."
