Chris Smalling says fourth place is simply not good enough for Manchester United.

The Red Devils recovered well from a poor start to Louis van Gaal's first campaign in charge to move into the top four where they will now finish barring a late-season disaster from third-placed Arsenal.

Regarding the club's current position, defender Smalling suggested being content with another finish of fourth next season would be a massive letdown in the scheme of things at Old Trafford.

"No, fourth isn't enough (next season)," he said.

"It's not one (a season) where we're massively celebrating, it's a step. Next season we know that won't be good enough and our fans at the end of the Arsenal game on Sunday were terrific.

"Hopefully next season we'll be having a parade with something to really cheer about. I think as the season's gone on, we've got better, but Chelsea's consistency from day one has won them the title.

"Sometimes they didn't play well and still won games, they saw off games like our Arsenal game. They would have probably won it 1-0. Next season, it's a case of starting on the front foot and keeping that consistency."