Reds' rivals need to start looking over their shoulders, says Herrera

ANDER Herrera believes Manchester United's improvements will have their top-four rivals worried.

Nobody looks able to prevent Antonio Conte's Chelsea cantering to the title, but the race for the Champions League is heating up.

Just five points separate second-placed Tottenham and United in sixth, with Jose Mourinho's men stretching their unbeaten Premier League run to a 15th match as reigning champions Leicester were swatted aside 3-0 on Sunday.

COMPREHENSIVE

The manner of their performance was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests and Herrera believes such displays will have rivals looking over their shoulder.

"That's what we want," the Spain midfielder said when asked if those above them will be worried about United.

"I think the fight with the first six teams in the league - and I add also Everton because they have a very good team - will be very tough.

"We all want to be in the top four and there's still a lot play for, but I think we are in a good moment. They can see 'Man United is chasing us'.

"It is true that we did not win three games in a row before Leicester, but the feelings were good.

"I think we deserved more away at Stoke and against Hull at home, so I think we are in a good moment.

"We are fighting for a lot of things. Three competitions plus the Premier League, the race for the top four.

"I think we have a lot of things to play for. All the players in the squad want to play as many games as possible."

United have the EFL Cup final to look forward to later this month, along with the chance to continue their FA Cup and Europa League tilts.

But the Premier League is key having failed to finish higher than fourth since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

David Moyes and Louis van Gaal eventually paid with their jobs and, despite sitting sixth, Herrera believes things are changing for the better under Mourinho.

"We didn't finish higher because we didn't deserve to finish higher," Herrera said, speaking at the unveiling of the TAG Heuer Manchester United Watch Collection.

"I think football, sooner or later, is fair. Now I think we look stronger. People can see that."