GET UP, STAND UP

"We are not in a position to be thinking about catching people," Ruud told the Manchester Evening News.

"We are nine points behind after 15 games and that is a lot," Ruud said. "We shouldn't look to what anyone else is doing. We should just be concentrating our efforts on winning our own matches and take it from there.

"If you start thinking about Liverpool and Arsenal being on top and ahead by so many points then it will make it even harder.

"Last year, when we were in a similar position, we didn't look forward, we just focused on the game ahead and that's what we have to do now."

"We know we are in a difficult position and we'd rather be top, but we are not, and we have to show the character to deal with it. We have to stand up for ourselves and for the club."

"It has been disappointing so far for us in the Premiership and we desperately want to change things."