Solskjaer has high hopes for Red Devils double

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he will not be satisfied with a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer embraces his players after they defeated Arsenal in the FA Cup. Picture: AP

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he would not be satisfied with a top-four finish in the Premier League as he targets success in two cup competitions in the second half of the season.

Sixth-placed United have won all six league games since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho to close the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea from 11 points to three, while they are still in FA Cup and Champions League contentions.

“For Man United, you should always aim to win the league,” he told reporters ahead of this morning’s league clash against Burnley.

“We can’t do that this year, but we have to get back to the challenge. We’ve got the Champions League, we’ve got the FA Cup, we can’t just say we’ve got a top four and that is it.”

Holders Chelsea have been drawn to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round, a repeat of last year’s final. United saw off Arsenal in the fourth round and will travel to London again after being paired with the Blues.

With the Gunners, Tottenham and Liverpool already knocked out, Monday’s draw means that, at most, only two of the Premier League’s top six will progress to the quarter-finals.

Manchester City will face an away tie against lower-league ­opposition in the last 16.

Pep Guardiola’s quadruple-chasing side will face the winner of the replay between Championship side Middlesbrough and fourth-tier Newport County. Non-league team Barnet twice came back from a goal down to draw 3-3 with Brentford in the fourth round on Monday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 16.

In 17th place in the fifth tier, Barnet are the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition and were playing an opponent 71 positions higher in English soccer’s league pyramid.

The winner of the replay will visit second-tier Swansea City in the fifth round. Doncaster Rovers, who play in League One and are in the fifth round for the first time in 63 years, will host Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

Agencies