Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United are where they deserve to be - but said he is relishing the challenge to take them back to the top.
United, currently sixth, are a whopping 25 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City following their 2-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side.
That was the Red Devils' seventh loss in their last nine games in all competitions, during which time they have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
United stars returned to Carrington for full training on Friday morning ahead of Sunday's must-win clash with Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea .
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And Solskjaer, who has endured a tough run of results since being appointed United's permanent boss on March 28, said the Reds are where they should be and the challenge is to take them forward.
"They've all seen the reality the last few weeks of where we're at," said Solskjaer. "If you look at the team's total points for the last five seasons, I don't know if you can give me the average, but the average points total is 70.
"We're now on 64, so that's where we're at, the reality is where we've been the last five seasons, and that's not good enough.
"But that's not down to the last six seven or eight games, that's where we are. We have a great challenge ahead of us.
"We've played, you can say and some said, some easy teams in the beginning and more difficult teams now, but it's the whole scenario, the whole season.
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"It's been an emotional season for the players and club, and that's what you've got to deal with as a footballer player, coach and manager - we're all human beings."
Goals have dried up for United's attack of late, with their last from open play coming via Marcus Rashford at Wolves on April 2.
In the five games since, they have failed to score in four of them, and both goals in the 2-1 win over West Ham were Paul Pogba penalties.
That must change against the fourth-place Blues this weekend.
At the other end, David de Gea has drawn criticism for his recent displays - amid uncertainty over his long-term future.
But Solskjaer dismissed suggestions he could be dropped this weekend.
Asked if he had considered dropping De Gea, Solskjaer said: "No. Not at all, because I trust David and he's, for me, been the best player United have had last six or seven years, absolutely outstanding.
"Going through touch patches is part of a footballer's career and David will be fine."
