Smalling insists Man Utd can get back into title race

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling insists they can get back into the Premier League race.

United slipped down the table to sixth place during a disappointing December in which only two points from a possible 15 were registered by Louis van Gaal's team.

Smalling told manutd.com: “It is a crazy league this season and, when you slip up as a team, you look at the scores and see two or three other teams who you'd expect to win slipping up as well. It is so competitive amongst the teams in the league, positions are always changing and there aren't many points between teams.

“You just need to be consistent and we need to get back to that, like we were earlier in the season when we were top. With any consistency in this league, you can shoot up the table and create a gap.

“As I say, it wasn't long ago when we were at the top. The league is that close – if you get three wins on the bounce then you can be within touching distance of the lead. Our aim is to get to the end of January and be within touching distance of the top. From there on, anything is possible."