Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims his Manchester United side have defied many critics' expectations by launching a Premier League title challenge this season.
The Red Devils currently lie in second in the English top-flight, five points behind close rivals and league leaders Manchester City - though Pep Guardiola's side do have a game in hand.
United started the season poorly with two wins from their first six games but went on a 12-game unbeaten run to launch themselves into the title picture.
Solskjaer, however, is not looking back at his side's progress and is instead looking ahead as United aim to compete for three trophies this term.
The United boss told Norwegian outlet ViaPlay: 'I think we've taken big steps (but) I can't go back a year and think about how far we were behind Liverpool and Man City then and how we were 12 points behind Leicester City to get a top-four spot. We have to look at ourselves becoming a better team.
'We might have turned into a better side quicker than many had expected. Then expectation grows and the talk gets louder and we'll see if we can stay focused on what's important - that we are playing well. Then the results will come.'
The Red Devils have crucial matches in each of their winnable tournaments during the month of February.
Alongside their Premier League title charge, which includes a tricky tie at Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea at the end of the month, Solskjaer's side face Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-32 round while West Ham are their next FA Cup opponents on Wednesday.
Despite his side's upturn in fortunes recently - no United side has scored more goals at this stage of a season since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 - the Norwegian manager claims a focus on improving his side's defensive reliability is his priority.
When asked about his side's devastating attack, Solskjaer added: 'We're very pleased with the way we've created more chances and increased efficiency. Then we will make sure to improve defensively.
'We're well-structured but there are some mistakes regarding details that costs us.'
The latest incident where United's defensive lapses occurred came in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Everton on Saturday night.
The Red Devils went two goals ahead at half-time via goals from Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes, but Everton hauled themselves level after the interval through Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez's strikes.
Scott McTominay put United ahead with a header but the Toffees equalised with the last kick of the game through striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Replays showed United captain Harry Maguire playing the Everton forward onside from a free-kick by unnecessarily dropping deep, while David de Gea failed to claim the ball at Calvert-Lewin's feet.
Speaking about the Everton game, Solskjaer said: 'We were supposed to control the game and then we conceded two early goals in the second-half. That's what is the biggest worry.
'We reacted well and played well before we conceded late when we're supposed to be better than that. In the dying minutes there, we've got to be better than that. Of course we have to.
'And then I'm not the type to throw stuff and such, but obviously we were disappointed. It's more important that we see what we can do better next time.'
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