Luke Shaw says Manchester United can still qualify for the Champions League after their thumping 5-1 win over Cardiff City at the weekend.

The Red Devils marked the first game of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign with their best performance of the season in south Wales. They are now sixth in the Premier League, eight points behind Chelsea in fourth after the Blues were beaten at home by Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

England defender Shaw says they must now set about targeting a top-four finish after the club’s worse ever start to a Premier League campaign. “Of course we want the top four; we want to be playing in the Champions League next season,” Shaw said.

“I don’t see why we can’t if we keep playing like that.” Shaw played the full game against Cardiff, having been dropped for Jose Mourinho’s final three Premier League games in charge.

The left-back came in for some very public criticism from the Portuguese during his stint as United manager but Shaw was quick to point out that it wasn’t all bad under Mourinho.

“People might be quick to forget what Jose did for United – the three trophies he won – he did a lot,” said Shaw, referring to the Community Shield, Europa League and FA Cup triumphs his former boss enjoyed in his first season.

“One of the trophies [Europa League] was one we had not won before, and he took us to three trophies in one season. So those people need to respect him and remember what he did.”

Manchester United are 7.00 to finish in the top-four this season.