Ole Gunnar Solskjær believes Manchester United’s busy festive period of five games in 16 days – beginning on Thursday with the trip to Sheffield United – will be vital if they are to mount a title challenge.

United play at home against Leeds on Sunday, travel to Leicester on Boxing Day and host Wolves three days later then Aston Villa on 1 January. Solskjær’s side also visit Everton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals next Wednesday, making it a packed schedule.

The manager was asked whether this could define United’s hopes of competing for the championship. “This is a big run of games for us,” he said. “After Villa on New Year’s Day, we have a little bit of a break in the league [for the FA Cup]. 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.”

Solskjær, reflecting on whether the league’s uneven results made this United’s best chance of claiming a 21st title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired seven years ago, said: “This season is going to be very up and down. Whoever finds the consistency and the energy will have a better chance than in the last few seasons, because 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.”