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United haven't had the best of starts to a season, notching up just eight points from their first five games.
In recent weeks United have begun to pick up their form, with wins against Sunderland and Tottenham in their last two games.
But draws against Reading and Portsmouth and a defeat to local rivals City saw United struggle.
Gary Neville, on his way back from injury, insists that three more defeats would be unacceptable for the team hoping to retain the Premiership title for the first time since 2001.
“I don't expect is to go away to teams and lose. I expected us to be consistent like we were last year,†he said.
“It's inevitable that you will lose games in the Premier League. You're not going to go the whole season unbeaten and it's very rare that that happens.
“Losing one, two or three games is acceptable, but no more. I wouldn't expect United to lose eight, nine or ten games. If we do that, we'll have underperformed.
“We need to make sure we're in amongst it. The problem we've had in previous seasons was that we were too far behind, and we need to make sure that we don't fall more than a couple of points behind leaders.
“It will settle down in the next couple of months. Liverpool will be strong and I'm sure Arsenal, ourselves and Chelsea will also be there.
“I imagine it would be the same four battling for the title again. At this stage of the season it is in our hands. We're playing the other big teams in the next few months and that will give us the chance to get close tothem.â€
In recent weeks United have begun to pick up their form, with wins against Sunderland and Tottenham in their last two games.
But draws against Reading and Portsmouth and a defeat to local rivals City saw United struggle.
Gary Neville, on his way back from injury, insists that three more defeats would be unacceptable for the team hoping to retain the Premiership title for the first time since 2001.
“I don't expect is to go away to teams and lose. I expected us to be consistent like we were last year,†he said.
“It's inevitable that you will lose games in the Premier League. You're not going to go the whole season unbeaten and it's very rare that that happens.
“Losing one, two or three games is acceptable, but no more. I wouldn't expect United to lose eight, nine or ten games. If we do that, we'll have underperformed.
“We need to make sure we're in amongst it. The problem we've had in previous seasons was that we were too far behind, and we need to make sure that we don't fall more than a couple of points behind leaders.
“It will settle down in the next couple of months. Liverpool will be strong and I'm sure Arsenal, ourselves and Chelsea will also be there.
“I imagine it would be the same four battling for the title again. At this stage of the season it is in our hands. We're playing the other big teams in the next few months and that will give us the chance to get close tothem.â€
