Speaking from United's training camp at Carton House in County Kildare, the assistant coach set the tone for the final seven games of the season with a message that left no room for complacency.
"I think the language we should be using as this club is to finish as close as we possibly can to the top," Holland said on the club's official website.
"I don't know how possible that is, but that has to be the challenge always: to get as close as we possibly can to the top."
The focus in the dressing room, he added, has deliberately shifted away from the table below them.
"We've been speaking more to the players really about winning our matches, rather than thinking too much about what's happening below. But clearly given the context, to finish in the Champions League places would be a good situation for us, but I think always we should be looking for more than that."
United sit third with a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea and 15 points behind leaders Arsenal. A return to the Champions League after a year out of Europe is within reach. Holland, though, wants the ambition to run deeper than that.
The four-day camp in Ireland follows a 24-day gap between Premier League fixtures — reportedly a league record between two consecutive games. Holland says the break was too long to simply rest through.
"The gap has been as big as you can have really. I think we felt it was important to get the whole group together again, and really focus on finishing the season well."
The renewed sense of direction at United owes much to Michael Carrick, who has won seven of his 10 matches since replacing Ruben Amorim in January. Winger Amad Diallo, speaking at the same camp, has publicly backed Carrick for the permanent role.
"He has a lot of experience, he knows the club and has the DNA," Amad said. "His relationship with every player is very good. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong."
Holland joined as part of Carrick's coaching staff, bringing experience from lengthy spells at Chelsea — where he was part of the 2012 Champions League-winning team — and as Gareth Southgate's assistant with the England national side.
Seven games left. A top-four place almost secured. The target, Holland says, is second.