Jose Mourinho has admitted Manchester United should not be in seventh place at this stage of the season, though is certain they will still finish above Everton.
United’s underwhelming campaign continued on Saturday with a disappointing 2-2 away to struggling Southampton.
Mourinho’s side are currently eight points behind Unai Emery’s fourth-placed Arsenal, who visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
United are the only member of last season’s top six to currently sit outside of that bracket this term, with Marco Silva’s sixth-placed Everton ahead of them on goal difference.
Mourinho believes United have a “responsibility” to finish in the top six and remains confident that they will, despite revising his target of reaching the top four by the end of December.
“I think Manchester United, seventh place, I can agree, in spite of the investment Everton made was phenomenal,” he said.
“Obviously there was a great improvement in that team from last season in relation to this season, but I don’t think Everton will be in front of Manchester United at the end of the season.
“There are six teams that should stay in the first six positions, season after season two of these teams are staying outside the top four. For example, last season it was Arsenal and Chelsea.
“This season two of these six are going to stay outside. Who is the best team of the six, the team with more potential, less potential? Who is the team performing not so well?
“These will be around the questions and answers. At the end of the season the top six will be done by the six teams we all know have that responsibility to finish in the top six.”
