Danny Simpson names Manchester United's minimum target this season - and pinpoints the one Sir Alex Ferguson trait that Ruben Amorim has brought back

Manchester United should be targeting a top-four finish ‘at the very least’ this season, says former Old Trafford defender Danny Simpson.

Ruben Amorim’s side can move up to fourth position if they beat Everton at home on Monday night as they return to action after the international break.

With Manchester City and Liverpool losing over the weekend, the battle for places behind leaders Arsenal is opening up and Simpson believes United can seize their opportunity as they look to build on a five-match unbeaten run.

‘If I were in that dressing-room with the United players as a part of that team, I would be looking at my teammates, thinking we must finish in the top four at the very least,’ said Simpson, who won the title with Leicester in 2016.

‘They have invested in some top-quality players like Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha, which has led to players like Casemiro’s form improving. This is their time to get back up the table and compete.

‘I’m confident United have turned a corner and are on the up as a side. For me, you can see the change in the team over the past month or so. Just look at how they are reacting to going behind now; they were leading 1-0 and then trailing 2-1 away at both Nottingham Forest and Spurs in recent weeks, but they stuck to the plan, battled on to the end of the game and rescued a point in injury time twice.

‘That’s the type of character United used to have under Sir Alex Ferguson that we haven’t seen under Ruben Amorim before. That team spirit has been lacking in recent years, and it’s great to see it back in the side.

‘However, they are still conceding a lot of goals. They have scored 19 goals in the league this season, and they only have a plus one goal difference, so the defence needs to tighten up if they want to progress further. They will need to improve this to challenge the top four. But I think the attitude, desire, and commitment of the team have changed for the better this season.’

Speaking to WDW Bingo, Simpson believes that signing Mbeumo, Cunha and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the summer has helped put United back on track. The 38-year-old former Newcastle and QPR right-back believes that Mbeumo, in particular, is a ‘nightmare’ to play against.

‘Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens have made a huge difference to this team,’ added Simpson. ‘Mbuemo and Cunha look like they can carry the shirt, cope with the pressure of playing for Man United and lead the team forwards.

‘Mbeumo needed a few weeks to get into it. He clearly didn’t have a great pre-season, but now he won’t stop running. As a former full-back, I can say he’d be a nightmare to play against.

‘I think Cunha would have liked to have bagged a few more goals, but that will come with time. His presence is unbelievable. He can drag the team up the pitch with his ability, and he has that bite about him which will serve him well at United.

‘Senne Lammens has proved himself to be a brilliant shot stopper. United have been conceding a lot of goals, but nobody is saying anything about him, which is the biggest compliment he can receive. When Andre Onana was playing every week, he was being talked about negatively in the press, so for Lammens to just eliminate that narrative shows how good he’s been.

‘Amorim did a great job integrating him into the team. He spent the money on him but gave him time to adapt to England and his new club before playing him, which has served him in good stead. He has been brilliant for such a young goalkeeper.’