Villa went down 4-0 at Old Trafford to sit on 35 points, six points above third-from-bottom Bolton, who have a game in hand.

McLeish now wants to get six points to ensure another season in the top flight.

He told Sky Sports 1: "I'm not disappointed from the view of the young players. They gave everything.

"United are a world-class club side and we've got a lot of young players out there that haven't played half a reserve season before now.

True class

"Losing the second goal before half-time was something we could have done without as it sets you back a mile. United showed their true class.

"We've got three cup finals now at home and one away at West Brom and the players have to bare their teeth in those games.

"If we play as we did in the last couple of home games we've got chance.

"I'd like to get six points and target at least six points. At United today we always believed we could get something, as we believe at any club, but it was a bridge too far for us."