Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has conceded a club of their stature should have more to play for than a place in the top four of the Premier League.
The Spaniard has been in inspired form as of late despite the team's collective failings and was instrumental in Tuesday night's 2-0 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Graham Potter's side started the tie well and put the hosts under the cosh but De Gea was equal to everything the Seagulls threw at him, including an incredible stop from Jakub Moder's first-half header.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo ended his worst goal drought since 2010 to fire his side in front shortly after the interval, before Lewis Dunk's red card made Brighton's task all the more difficult.
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Bruno Fernandes made certain United would not surrender a 1-0 lead for the fourth time in a row when he secured the three points with a 97th minute strike to put the contest beyond any doubt.
The victory means United leapfrog West Ham into fourth spot after 25 games played, though rivals Arsenal sit just four points behind with three games in hand.
Despite the win, De Gea admitted purely being in the hunt for Champions League qualification is not enough for United.
"We should be fighting for more things than the top four, but that is the reality," De Gea explained.
"There are many teams fighting for the same position and with the quality we have we should win a lot of points."
His comments come just days after De Gea claimed United were "cursed".
"I think someone has put a curse on us or something," he told El Pais. "The truth is I don't know what's going on, I really don't."
De Gea's assessment on what United should be striving for is similar to Ronaldo's, which came in a lengthy interview with Sky Sports last month.
" Manchester United should win the league or be second or third," the 37-year-old claimed. "I don’t see any other position for Manchester United.
"In my heart, I don’t accept that our mentality be less than being in the top three in the Premier League, in my opinion."
While that may be the aim from the players, United's interim boss Ralf Rangick is less optimistic.
"In the league, it's number four, that's our ambition, what we have to achieve and what we're aiming at," the German told reporters.
Up next for United is another Premier League contest when they make the trip to Leeds to face off against their long-time rivals in front of a packed Elland Road for the first time in the Premier League since the 2003/04 season.
Just three days later De Gea will return to his former side in Atletico Madrid for the first-leg of their Champions League round of 16 knockout tie.
