Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident that Manchester United are equipped to break into the top four ahead of schedule and flourish in their tough-looking February fixtures.
The Norwegian hit a first bump in the road since becoming caretaker manager as Burnley visited on Tuesday, with a late comeback required to seal a 2-2 home draw as his eight-match winning start to life at the Old Trafford helm came to an end.
That run means Solskjaerâs side enter the weekend just two points off the Champions League qualification places â quite the turnaround considering they were 11 points off the pace when he succeeded Jose Mourinho in December.
United will attempt to increase the pressure on top-four rivals Arsenal and Chelsea by winning at Leicester on Sunday, kicking off a tough month which includes the Champions League last 16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain and FA Cup fifth-round trip to Chelsea.
âI feel itâs very (well) equipped,â Solskjaer said of the squadâs strength heading into February.
âWeâve had now six weeks together. Weâve found out what strengths, weaknesses weâve got.
âI think weâve risen to most of the challenges, maybe of course the setback of the two Burnley goals we conceded, maybe they will make us move to the next level because I think weâve given ourselves a chance now to get into the top four maybe earlier than we thought.
âItâs not too many games, thereâs still a week between every single one of them but itâs tough opposition. Definitely.
âYou start with this game against Leicester, Fulham away as well is also a tough one.
âThen youâve got the three big ones you can call it, with PSG, Chelsea and Liverpool after each other. Then a very hard one, when you think youâve done with those three, with Palace away. So itâs a tough month â but weâre ready.
âIâve got a big squad, itâs only Marcos Rojo now whoâs out for a period, the rest are fit and available.â
Solskjaer expects Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba to be fit for the trip to the King Power Stadium after the former missed the Burnley match through injury and the latter was seen limping away from Old Trafford.
Pogba and Martial are set to return against Leicester.
The duo could have key roles to play against a team who have produced Jekyll and Hyde displays under divisive Claude Puel.
The Foxes saw their FA Cup embarrassment at Newport compounded by losses to Southampton and Wolves, only to end that run of defeats by holding leaders Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday.
âThey beat Chelsea,â Solskjaer said of Leicester, who also defeated Manchester City on Boxing Day.
âI watched the game on Wednesday night and itâs a team full of energy, pace, they defend well.
âThey drop back and defend so itâs hard to break them down and then theyâve got the pace up front with (Jamie) Vardy, (Demarai) Gray, (James) Maddison, (Marc) Albrighton, so itâs going be a tough challenge â but we like challenges.â