Manchester United don't have impressive performances in this season but you are right if you only say it for their recent performances. They are playing better and narrowing down differences with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa but they have yet taken over the fourth position. Gaps are still far enough but if they can maintain good performances, they will see top four more nearly and more achievable.
Because this season has gone through two thirds of its length and there is no much time and matches for Manchester United to make mistakes and correct their mistakes. Past mistakes already cost them gaps with Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa so now it's their very last matches to correct their past mistakes, not to make more new ones.
I think Manchester United cannot escape new problems and although so far they are doing well, there are times when they will experience other problems. I'm not quite sure that their current consistency can be maintained well and even though they now have a better chance of securing the top 4, that can't be guaranteed if they can't beat a stronger team.
Spurs and Aston Villa experienced setbacks and fortunately Manchester United were able to take advantage of their carelessness by continuing to gain points in every match. I want to know what the results will be when they play against Manchester City in early March because that is a big obstacle that Manchester United has to overcome. Moreover, it is an away match for the Red Devils squad so it will be difficult for them to win. However, if the next two matches are against Fulham this week and also against Nottingham the following week, they should still be able to win without any interference.