Man Utd will find out if they’re Premier League title challengers by New Year’s Day, says boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he will know if Manchester United are title contenders by New Year’s Day.

The Red Devils start a hectic run of six matches in 15 days when they travel to face bottom club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Five of the games are in the league, with the last one of the sequence a game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on January 1.

With their game in hand, United are closer to the leaders than many people think and Solskjaer reckons the Christmas fixtures could shape their season.

He wants his squad to show over the next fortnight that they have what it takes to mount a sustained challenge.

The Norwegian said: “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.

“So this period is going to be vital and it’ll be easier for me to answer around that time.

“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’s 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.”

While Liverpool and Manchester City have run away with recent titles, Ole is convinced this one will be different.

Already the big boys have dropped points when it is least expected and he feels that could continue for the whole campaign. He said: “I think this season is going to be very unpredictable and up and down.

“Whoever finds the consistency and the energy will have a better chance than in the last few seasons, when there’s been a few runaway teams.

“For us, the quicker we can get the game in hand against Burnley played the better, so that the league table looks as it should be.

“Then again, I’m as boring as you alluded to there, you have to take one game at a time.

“Even though we’ve got six games in less than 16 days, we’ve still got to look at one, then one and then one.

“If you take your eye off the ball you’ll quickly lose points in games where you expect to take more.

“With regards to six games in 15 or 16 days, it’s probably difficult to perform at the top level every game.”

Sheffield United, managed by Chris Wilder, have taken ONE point so far with almost a third of the season gone.

But there have been many examples of the big boys dropping unexpected points and United need to be careful they do not become the latest to do so.

Solskjaer added: “It’s a sign of the quality of the Premier League and the so-called lesser teams. There are no easy games but the top teams, in the last few seasons, had the knack of winning them instead of drawing them.

“With the tight schedule and what’s happening in players’ lives, we’ll see this throughout the season.

“Whoever gets a midweek rest will have an advantage as it’s hard to have players 100 per cent sharp.”

Having been in charge of Cardiff when they were relegated, he has some sympathy with his opposite number Wilder. Solskjaer said: “I don’t want to compare my job at Cardiff and Chris at Sheffield United.

“I enjoy being at the top more than being at the bottom, definitely. The players enjoy that more as well. That’s pressure to win.

“The other pressure of relegating, losing wages is a different pressure and you might just suddenly lose that bit of confidence or belief that you normally have.

“Players fighting for the top positions should be flying high in confidence and enjoying it. I enjoy being at the top of the table rather than at the bottom, which goes without saying.”

⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford