Smalling: We Must Stay Positive

Jesse Lingard wants Manchester United to stay positive ahead of Sunday's derby meeting with Manchester City despite the club's disappointing exit from the Europa League.

United made a promising start in the second-leg clash against Liverpool when Anthony Martial put the Reds in front from the penalty spot on 32 minutes, but a Philippe Coutinho strike on the stroke of half-time effectively killed the tie with Louis van Gaal's men then required to score three more goals.

Attentions now turn to this weekend's short trip to the Etihad Stadium as the Reds look to make up further ground in the race for a top-four spot in the Barclays Premier League.

“I remember coming on against City earlier in the season, that was a massive feeling, and I nearly scored as well," Lingard told MUTV. "You watch big games like this one when you are growing up and you want to be involved.

"It's going to be a tough match as always, but we are going to be ready and prepared. Hopefully we can go there with the right mindset and a creative game plan. Everyone will be ready and we'll believe [we can win the game] on Sunday.

"I thought we had tempo and energy through the whole game against Liverpool, and obviously our fans gave us that energy too. I don’t see why we can’t produce that in every game and push for that top-four spot.”

Lingard reflected on being knocked out of the Europa League and, despite a spirited first-half performance at Old Trafford, he admitted it was always going to be difficult to overturn the first-leg deficit.

“Obviously we are disappointed, the first leg made it hard for us and coming into the second leg we knew had a big task on our hands," he added.

“When we scored the first goal all the fans were behind us, and our momentum was there. We dominated the play and created a lot of chances, but the Coutinho goal just before half-time killed us.”

The Reds were left to rue several missed chances on the night against Jurgen Klopp's men, but while the Europa League campaign is over, Lingard insists United's season is still very much alive.

“We probably should have scored a lot more goals and taken a lot more from the game," the 23-year-old continued. "In the first half we moved the ball quickly, we were attacking and playing football that the fans want to see. As long as we can keep that in our game now and push forward towards the end of the season, then I don’t see why we can’t be in the top four and win the FA Cup."