![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Scott McTominay says Manchester United are focused on consistency rather than their current place in the pecking order after Erik ten Hag\u2019s under-fire side moved within three points of Manchester City.<\/p>\n
This has been a challenging, and at times chastening, second season in the hotseat for the Dutchman, who won the Carabao Cup and finished third in the Premier League during a promising first campaign.<\/p>\n
United also lost the FA Cup final to a City side that went on to match their neighbours\u2019 historic 1999 treble triumph by lifting the Champions League trophy after beating Inter Milan.<\/p>\n
Last season\u2019s dominance and October\u2019s 3-0 Old Trafford loss to Pep Guardiola\u2019s men highlighted the gap in quality, yet the stumbling Red Devils are now within touching distance of their rivals.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0hyxACr5qO<\/p>\n
City fell to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa as United bounced back from the lifeless loss to Newcastle by beating Chelsea 2-1 thanks to McTominay\u2019s brace, moving them within three points of their fourth-placed neighbours.<\/p>\n
When that was pointed out to the matchwinner, along with the bunched-up standings, McTominay said: \u201cWe barely pay attention to that in terms of we just concentrate on how we\u2019re playing and if the style of football that we\u2019re playing is how the manager wants.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn games like tonight it was and against Newcastle it wasn\u2019t, so we have to find that balance between us where we try and do that every single week.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like that was a game where we had to come out and show to the fans that we have full focus on this game, we want to play well and give a reaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has to be like that every week, though, which is something that (when) I was in the dressing room\u2026 there was players speaking about it.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It) can\u2019t just be one game where we need to show a reaction. It has to come out and show that every week.\u201d<\/p>\n
McTominay said he was grateful to the United fans for \u201csticking with us throughout anything that goes on at this football club\u201d after another difficult few days.<\/p>\n
Reports over some player unhappiness with Ten Hag emerged after the 1-0 defeat to Newcastle, which the Scotland international knows saw them fall well short of what is required.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the fans are extremely demanding and so are we as players, so that\u2019s what we expect,\u201d the six-goal midfielder told MUTV.<\/p>\n
\u201cGoing back to the game against Newcastle, we know that was nowhere near good enough and that\u2019s still stinging us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t have them anomalies where we go somewhere and we don\u2019t play as well as what we can, and maybe not show as much fight as what we could as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut tonight is a building block and something that we can take step by step without getting too carried away.\u201d<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0hziukMYj2<\/p>\n
United now refocus on Saturday\u2019s home match against Bournemouth, with stuttering Chelsea heading to Everton the following day.<\/p>\n
Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s men were second best for large parts at Old Trafford but could have scored more than Cole Palmer\u2019s intelligent equaliser.<\/p>\n
Chelsea captain Reece James, who came off the bench at half-time, said: \u201cWe go out there wanting to win but it\u2019s still a young squad and we are learning game by game.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the moment it\u2019s quite tough, but we know we have the capabilities to win every game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to go back to the drawing board and review the game, and then prepare for Everton. We need to prepare right and start climbing the table.\u201d<\/p>\n