Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is right to avoid making daring Champions League predictions at Manchester United , says Peter Schmeichel, with the Red Devils constructing long-term with a youthful squad.

The intention of these at Old Trafford is to secure a return to elite European club competition for 2020-21.

Two avenues continue to be open to them in that quest, with a top-four bid in the Premier League being complemented with the aid of a run thru to the last sixteen of the Europa League.

Success down both of these paths would see Solskjaer deliver on one of the challenges he has been presented with at United.

The Norwegian is, however, wary of pointing out his ambition in public , with his team still very much a work in progress.

Efforts are being made to enhance collective requirements on the field, with a change in recruitment policy seeing players of potential being focused – with many of these ticking home-grown boxes.

Schmeichel believes the proper strategy is being taken, with the legendary former Red Devils goalkeeper telling Premier League Productions : “He’s [Solskjaer] tried to not put it out there that we are chasing Champions League or that he’s setting goals that may be unrealistic.

“He’s saying we take it game by game. He’s said his grand plan is to play a youthful team and get a younger team ready for next season.

“He’s doing that. He’s getting players at 18, 19, 20 years of age, he’s giving them game time so that they will be geared up and have that experience. Then we will have to see what happens in the summer.

“Of course he wishes to be in the Champions League but I don’t suppose he can go in an interview and say that because it is a massive call, there are a lot of teams there.”

United have moved back up into fifth area in the Premier League table, three points adrift of Chelsea in the closing Champions League spot.

They still have 10 games left to take in this term, with the first of these set to be a Manchester derby date with arch-rivals City on Sunday, which will come on the back of an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Derby on Thursday and a reunion with all-time main goalscorer Wayne Rooney.