Mata: There's no time to feel sorry for ourselves

Hi everyone. Before anything else, I want to thank you all for your birthday messages.

Waking up in the team hotel and receiving them all is something that’s incredible. I feel very fortunate for all of the care that you have shown me and I wanted to thank you all for that.

It was a different birthday for me because it was a matchday, and on top of that we were playing a very important game that was also special because it was against Chelsea. A dream for anyone who loves this sport.

The match was, as we expected, very hard fought and exciting. We started very well, dominating the game and I had the chance to put the team in front. Scoring a goal at Old Trafford is always amazing, it is a feeling that is difficult to put into words.

Sadly, they equalised and a point does little for us given the state of the league table. We felt as though we could have won, but right now the only thing that we can do is to look ahead and be optimistic.

There is no time to feel sorry for ourselves, we have to focus on winning on Sunday against Huddersfield and also our final game of the season against Cardiff to see where that leaves us in the league table.

Hugs, and thank you again for all of your messages, I hope you all have a good week.

Juan

You can read my full blog post here on my website, JuanMata8.com.

Shaw looks for late drama in Premier League top four

Luke Shaw hopes the unpredictable battle for the Champions League places has yet another twist in the tail, as Manchester United head into the top flight's final fortnight.

The Reds missed the opportunity to put the squeeze on the current occupants of third and fourth place in the Premier League table - Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea - after drawing 1-1 with the latter at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

With two matches to play, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side realistically need the full six points on offer and hope the other top-four contenders, including Arsenal, trip up somewhere in their last 180 minutes of the league campaign.

United are currently sixth with 65 points, one behind Arsenal, three behind Chelsea and five behind Spurs.
The Reds have matches at relegated Huddersfield Town this Sunday and at home to Cardiff City, who could still be fighting the drop, on the final day of the season.

A win against Chelsea would have brought United level with the Stamford Bridge side and turned up the heat. But a 1-1 draw left it as a case of ‘as you were’ with United unable to take advantage and it left Shaw reflecting on a familiar storyline.

“We’re gutted. I felt the first half was brilliant. We had a game plan, we stuck to it, we had chances and we didn’t take them,” Shaw told MUTV.

“It’s the story of our season really. We’ve had so many chances and not been able to take them. That’s what’s cost us (against Chelsea). That first half was good but the second half lacked urgency.

“We knew we needed to win the game and we were maybe hoping for that bit of luck that might have brought us a goal, but maybe with the talent in our team we should have been pushing on more.

“We’re all gutted and devastated, but you’ve seen the way the Premier League has been going, anything can happen, but, obviously, now it’s in their hands. We need to just win our last two and see where it takes us.“

United went ahead after 11 minutes with an opener from Juan Mata but Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso equalised two minutes before half-time after goalkeeper David De Gea parried a shot from Antonio Rudiger.

“We worked hard in training and we had meetings about what to do. We felt really comfortable in the first half and obviously the mistake happened, but mistakes happen in football, everyone makes mistakes and we just needed to carry on doing what we were doing,” the left-back said.

“In the second half we lacked that. If we’d have kept our urgency out there, like we did in the first half, we would have won the game. It’s disappointing and honestly everyone’s gutted in there. I’m sure the fans are too. We need to hope for that bit of luck and see what happens.“

United fans gave De Gea vocal backing at the interval and full-time following his crucial slip.

“The fans were amazing for him and he knows that inside this dressing room we’re with him, the manager’s 100 per cent with him,” added Shaw.

“He’s been our best player for a number of years now and he’s saved us on many occasions.

“The best players in the world make mistakes and the best keepers, of course.
 But we need to move on. He’s got so much confidence in his ability and, like I said, he’s been one of our best players. We just carry on now and I’m sure he’ll be fine and move on.

“We need to get back to that winning feeling. We haven’t won for a few games now, so we need to win the last two and hope for a bit of luck.”

RACE FOR THE TOP FOUR - FIXTURES

PENULTIMATE GAMES
Bournemouth v Tottenham (Sat 4 May, 12:30 BST)
Chelsea v Watford (Sun 5 May, 14:00 BST)
Huddersfield v United (Sun 5 May, 14:00 BST)
Arsenal v Brighton (Sun 5 May, 16:30 BST)

FINAL GAMES
Burnley v Arsenal (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
Leicester v Chelsea (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
Tottenham v Everton (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
United v Cardiff (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)


Mata: De Gea is unquestionable for me

Juan Mata staunchly defended his Manchester United team-mate, David De Gea, following Chelsea's equaliser on Sunday.

Our no.1 palmed away a long-range effort by German defender Antonio Rudiger just before half-time, only for Marcos Alonso to follow up and convert from a narrow angle to level the game.

Despite that, Mata insists he and his United colleagues still have a huge amount of confidence in De Gea.

“David is unquestionable for me,” Mata, the Reds’ goalscorer against Chelsea, told Sky Sports after the game.

“His levels have been fantastic for this club. He has been the best player over the last years. The amount of points that he has saved us is incredible.

“We all have good and bad moments throughout our careers, but, for me, the important thing is how we react and he’s determined to react positively, to do what he does best, which is being the best.

“I have 100 per cent confidence in him - we all have. Today he is not happy, we are not happy, but tomorrow morning he will come back to training with the best attitude as always.”

The Spain goalkeeper has received the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award in four of the last five seasons at United and, as a result, is widely considered one of the world’s best stoppers.

Mata, who has played with De Gea at club and international level, believes the no.1 will return to his usual impeccable levels in the very near future.

“I honestly believe he is one of the best in the world,” said Mata.

“I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but you are a goalkeeper and when you make a mistake it is probably a goal and that’s very difficult for them.

“But he has a strong mentality and he will save many goals in the next games and, again, he has been the best for us. He has my full confidence, and the team’s and the manager’s, and the confidence of everyone who loves Manchester United.”

The result was a disappointing one for the Reds, considering Chelsea are still two places and three points ahead in the race for a top-four place.

“It’s very difficult,” our no.8 admitted. “We are depending on other teams. We have to try and win the last two games and let’s see what happens.

“Obviously, today we needed three points because it is Chelsea. They play very good football and are fighting with us for the top four. It was a bit disappointing, the result. We need to move on and try and finish the season the best we can.

“We wanted to win and we needed to win, so we are disappointed. I thought we had a good first half: we scored, we created chances.

“We’ve done incredibly well over the last months to get there. We will try until the end, but today we needed a win because Chelsea are fighting with us.“

Injury updates on Bailly and Rashford

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an update on Eric Bailly and Marcus Rashford, after both players were forced off against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Ivory Coast international Bailly was one of five players who were recalled to the starting XI on Sunday, to make his first appearance since the UEFA Champions League win away at Paris Saint-Germain on 6 March.

Our no.3 was performing well in central defence alongside Victor Lindelof and impressing against the Blues' attack. However, a collision with Mateo Kovacic on 68 minutes left him on the ground and holding his knee.

After several minutes of medical attention, Eric was helped off the pitch and up the players' tunnel to the dressing room.

Speaking in our interview after the final whistle, Solskjaer gave an update on Bailly's condition.

“He will need a scan tomorrow but I don't think it is the worst knee injury you can have,” the manager told us. “He will be out for the rest of the season, I don't think we will see him again before next season.

”But he is a warrior, he played well today, he was calm, he was composed and it was just unfortunate that he had to come off.“

This latest injury is another blow for Bailly at the end of a campaign that has been hampered by fitness problems.

Eric will miss our final Premier League matches against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City, according to Solskjaer. As such, the former Villarreal defender looks certain to finish the campaign with 18 appearances to his name across all competitions, with only seven of those coming in the 2019 calendar year.

Solskjaer also confirmed that Rashford had to be taken off due to an injury.

The Academy graduate played for 65 minutes at Old Trafford before Alexis Sanchez took his place up front.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the manager provided this update: “Rashy’s struggled with his shoulder and he came through an hour, but couldn’t do more.”

It remains to be seen whether the forward will be fit to face Huddersfield next Sunday, 5 May.

Premier League: Man. United 1 Chelsea 1

The fight for a top-four place is set to go down to the wire after Manchester United were held to a draining 1-1 draw by Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side remain in sixth place in the Premier League, three points behind the visitors Chelsea in fourth position and one point behind Arsenal in fifth.

A much-needed win was coveted by United ahead of the tussle going down to the final two matches of the league campaign but the Reds couldn't make the necessary headway, despite being given an early 11th-minute lead by birthday boy Juan Mata.

The 31-year-old Spaniard's goal was cancelled out by Marcos Alonso just before half-time and neither side could find the winner in the second period, leaving both sets of fans to rue the lack of a significant blow.

The four-way battle for the two vacancies remaining for the coveted Champions League berths has been a nervous and disjointed affair.

United, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal have all struggled to stamp their authority on the challenge and break away from the tussle. All candidates have been stuttering towards the finishing line like a fun runner in the London Marathon.

The Reds, though, began in the mood to shake off the malaise affecting the contenders for the European big tickets.

After four minutes, Luke Shaw sprayed a long pass forward to release Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker controlled the dropping ball, turned Antonio Rudiger but had his shot smothered by Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The stat that has handicapped United’s challenge for the top four has been the lack of goals in open play since the defeat at Wolves in the league. The Reds' last two strikes had been Paul Pogba’s penalties against West Ham at home.

But after 11 minutes, Solskjaer's men finally threw that burden off their shoulders, by scoring without the aid of a set piece.

Just two minutes short of nine hours since Scott McTominay hit the net at Molineux, the Reds struck against Maurizio Sarri’s side.

Shaw had started on fire and was at the heart of United’s opener.

The left back drove forward, played a pass to Pogba and raced onwards to collect the eventual through ball from Lukaku. Shaw’s cutback was drilled in by ex-Chelsea player Mata for his first goal since January's Emirates FA Cup win against Reading.

The Reds then had a spell of set pieces that unsettled Chelsea. Mata’s 28th-minute corner caused trouble in the Londoners' rearguard as Rudiger headed against Alonso but no United player was on hand to react quick enough to the loose ball in the six-yard area before Azpilicueta’s panicked hack away.

Seconds later, Ashley Young’s corner from the players' tunnel area was met by Lukaku but he couldn’t direct his header on goal.

It had been a much improved performance by the Reds after recent below-par displays but the Blues ruined all that just minutes before the interval.

Rudiger smashed a speculative piledriver from around 30 yards out that David De Gea could only parry to his right, and Alonso snapped up the rebound to equalise in the 43rd minute.

Seeing dejection in their beloved goalkeeper, the loyal Old Trafford faithful immediately got behind De Gea in a show of support for the no.1.

United had been the better side in the first 45 minutes but the shock of the pre-interval setback seemed to unsettle the Reds and the players struggled to get back into their stride.

Fortunately, the goal had not sufficiently upped Chelsea’s fluency and confidence and the match became riddled with mistakes, with neither team able to grab the initiative.

United suffered a spell of injuries that saw Rashford heading off to the dressing room for immediate attention to be replaced by Alexis after 65 minutes. Then Bailly’s return match sadly ended early when he went off injured.

There was serious concern from his team-mates when he first went down but at least the defender was eventually able to discard the stretcher that had been sent on for him but he limped painfully off the field.

With the spate of injuries and substitutions, including a further change for United when Scott McTominay came on for Mata in the 81st minute, the game just couldn’t get going again and became scrappy.

But Old Trafford reached a crescendo of noise as an extra seven minutes added-on time went up on the fourth official’s board. It reinvigorated the Reds in the quest for a crucial dramatic late winner.

United substitute Rojo almost got it when he sent a header arrowing goalwards from a corner but one of Chelsea’s replacements, Pedro, was on the line to head away.

Chelsea had their own chance in a nerve-wracking finale when Higuain was put through in the 97th minute but De Gea was able to block the Argentina international's bid to snatch the critical three points.

MATCH DETAILS

United: De Gea, Young (C), Lindelof, Bailly (Rojo 71), Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Herrera, Mata (McTominay 81), Lukaku, Rashford (Alexis 65).

Subs not used: Romero, Martial, Andreas, Darmian.

Scorer: Mata (11).

Bookings: Herrera, Rojo, Young.

Chelsea: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger (Christensen 65), Luiz, Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic (Loftus-Cheek,76), Willian (Pedro, 84), Higuain, Hazard.

Subs not used: Caballero, Barkley, Giroud, Zappacosta..

Scorer: Alonso (43).

Bookings: Willian, Kovacic.

Attendance: 74,526.

‘We must show our Champions League quality’

Andreas Pereira has challenged Manchester United to demonstrate that we belong in the Champions League next season, ahead of the crunch top-four showdown with Chelsea on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST).

The Belgium-born Brazilian has urged the squad to grab all three points in the game, which he accepts the Reds have to win if we are to qualify for European football’s premier competition next term.

“It’s a must-win,” stressed Andreas. “We have to show we want the top four and, in these games, we have to show our level and show we are worthy to be in the Champions League.

“We want to do everything we can to get into the top four. We have to take each game on its own and get the three points. We have to stick together as a team and work together and try to get the three points in each game.”

Despite United’s disappointing recent form, the Academy graduate is pleased with his experiences so far in 2018/19, having made 14 of his 33 club appearances to date in the four months since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer returned to the club in December.

As if to underline his development, the midfielder was selected in the Norwegian’s starting XI for the recent Manchester derby.

“I’ve learnt so much,” he revealed. “Overall, for me, it’s been a special season – I got my first start, scored my first [Premier League] goal and played in my first derby, although the result was disappointing. I feel like I have got better on a lot of things and the manager and the staff have helped with me with everything.

“I’m so grateful to him [Solskjaer] that he puts his trust in me, and I just want to show on the pitch that he can trust me in every game. I want to play and do well for the team.”

Andreas also had kind words for his midfield colleagues, Fred and Paul Pogba, the latter of whom has been named in the PFA Team of the Year for 2018/19.

“We [myself and Fred] played in central midfield at the start of the season, and hopefully we can start more games [together],“ he added.

“Paul is a world-class player, everyone knows it. You can see it every day, he has experience and I’m very happy for him and very happy that he’s with us at United.”

Lindelof ready to take on Chelsea

Victor Lindelof has learned some valuable lessons from playing regularly at the heart of the Manchester United defence this season.

Our Swedish centre-back thrives on playing in big matches – and Sunday’s significant clash against top-four rivals Chelsea certainly falls into that bracket.

“Every match is huge for us,” the Reds’ no.2 told United Review in an exclusive interview with the matchday programme.

“For me, I always want to play in the big games against the top teams. That’s what you work for every day and what you dream about when you’re younger, to play these kinds of games. I live for these matches.”

‘WE KNEW HOW TO DEFEND AGAINST THEM’

We are unbeaten in our previous two games against Chelsea this term, which both took place at Stamford Bridge, with Victor playing in each encounter.

Of his memories of October’s 2-2 draw in the Premier League, he told United Review: “We deserved the win there. We performed well, but that’s football. They got a last-minute goal [through Ross Barkley] and it is what it is, but if you look back at that game, we performed well for most of it. We can take a lot of good things with us from that game.”

Lindelof felt United executed their gameplan to perfection to emerge with a 2-0 victory in the Emirates FA Cup at Chelsea's home in February.

“That was also a great match for us,” he opined. “Tactically, we knew exactly what we wanted to do and how to defend against them, and to find spaces to play around their pressing game. It was a very good game for us and the fact we won made it a very good night.”

‘WE’LL BE READY FOR THIS GAME’

A victory in our penultimate home game of the season will move Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side level on points with Maurizio Sarri’s fourth-placed Blues heading into our final two games, against Huddersfield Town away and Cardiff City at Old Trafford.

Chelsea have struggled on the road of late – and at the Theatre of Dreams in recent seasons – but Victor needs no reminding of the threat the west London outfit can pose and insists the Reds will be prepared for the battle ahead.

“They’re just a very good team with some fantastic players,” the 24-year-old said. “Even if they have a bad day, they still have very good individual players who can create chances from almost nothing.

“They’re very good in possession so you have to be really focused when you’re defending. You can’t give them too much space. They’re a good team but we’ll be ready for this game.”

‘YOU HAVE TO STAY CLOSE TO HAZARD’

Of course, the Blues possess the talent of Eden Hazard, who has the most assists in the league so far this season. However, Victor is well aware of how to approach the challenge of defending against the Belgian superstar.

“Don’t give him too much space because he will do something great, he’s a fantastic player. He’s shown that for a lot of years now. You have to stay close to him and don’t let him have any space with the ball facing our goal.”

Fixtures in focus: United fighting for top-four finish

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has Manchester United DNA coursing through his veins and, as such, defiance is a huge part of his personality. Our manager always wants to fight with everything he’s got, through the pain barrier and until the final whistle blows.

That never-say-die attitude is fuelling our belief that a top-four finish in the Premier League is still possible as we head into the final three fixtures.

It won’t be easy - nothing worth achieving ever is - but Solskjaer is right to state that anything is possible at this great club when our minds are fixed on a target.

The challenge is clear: earn nine points and score as many goals as possible from the three remaining games against Chelsea, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.

What about our rivals for Champions League qualification? Let’s take a look at the run-in, whom each club will face and when…

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 36
Tottenham v West Ham (Sat 27 April, 12:30 BST)
Leicester v Arsenal (Sun 28 April, 12:00 BST)
United v Chelsea (Sun 28 April, 16:30 BST)

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 37
Bournemouth v Tottenham (Sat 4 May, 12:30 BST)
Chelsea v Watford (Sun 5 May, 14:00 BST)
Huddersfield v United (Sun 5 May, 14:00 BST)
Arsenal v Brighton (Sun 5 May, 16:30 BST)

PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHWEEK 38
Burnley v Arsenal (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
Leicester v Chelsea (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
Tottenham v Everton (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)
United v Cardiff (Sun 12 May, 15:00 BST)

TOP FOUR IS THERE FOR THE TAKING

Every club chasing a place in the Champions League has stumbled in recent weeks and, with three games left to play, Solskjaer’s men know that a place in the top four is still within touching distance.

“It’s still open,” says Treble winner Wes Brown, who is backing Ole’s men to produce when it really matters most. “That’s the main thing – we’ve still got a chance. We’ve got to beat Chelsea and, if we do that, we will go level with them on points. There are a few games left and that would push us on to try to nick that fourth spot. It’s important because we want to be in the Champions League next season and it’s important we give it our all and try to do our best to get there.”

ONE COMPETITION, ONE FOCUS

Arsenal and Chelsea have both reached the Europa League semi-finals and have important two-legged ties to come in early May, against Valencia and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. Tottenham, meanwhile, will arguably have at least half an eye on the Champions League semi-final versus Ajax.

Could those European distractions influence the Premier League run-in? “I think they will,” says Brown. “No matter what anyone says, it does take a bit out of you. We can only focus on ourselves, though, starting on Sunday against Chelsea. We’ve got some important games coming up.

“Chelsea have got the Europa League but we’ve got to focus because we’ve had a bit of a bad patch recently. We need to start winning games and there is no place better to start than against Chelsea.”

OLD TRAFFORD IS NEEDED

Solskjaer has urged the fans to get behind his team again for the visit of Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea.

“Sunday is a massive one,“ says Ole. ”Sunday is something we have got to get ready for. The crowd has got to get ready for it, the players have got to get ready for it. Of course, we have analysed them. Let's just make sure we turn up on Sunday with the same attitude and a little bit more quality in front of goal, hopefully.

“Let's get the win that everybody wants, that the fans deserve and that the players deserve because they have made a terrific effort to give us a chance with three games to go to get in the top four.”

Brown: Respect from players means a lot

Wes Brown believes Paul Pogba has earned the respect of his peers after being named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2018/19 season.

The World Cup winner is the only man from outside the top two in the Premier League, Manchester City and Liverpool, to be included in the XI, which is based on votes from players at all 20 clubs.

Brown, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 1999 and 2008, has stressed the voting is taken very seriously and it is worthy recognition of a footballer's efforts when his fellow professionals show their appreciation.

“We know what Paul can do,” Brown told us. “He’s had a great spell and he’s scored some important goals for us this season, and assists actually. Obviously, the players rate him and I hope we see more of that. We need that to hopefully happen against Chelsea.

”Of course it means a lot because, over the course of the season, you’ve performed well and have the respect of the other players. The players do actually vote on these things, you do sit there and do it. It’s something we enjoy doing.

“Even if they play for Manchester City or Liverpool, it doesn’t mean you don’t vote for them. You do what you think is right and that is why I think it’s always a good thing to do.”

Our former defender admitted that it was difficult to argue against City and Liverpool dominating this year's selection, even if the team has generated a great deal of debate on social media.

“I don’t think you can [argue with it] at all,” he said. “By far, they’ve easily been the best two teams slugging it out for the championship.

”So, for Paul to get in that team is a great achievement in itself.“

Ole: Pogba is determined to succeed at United

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Paul Pogba in his pre-match press conference on Friday, revealing that the Frenchman is highly motivated to achieve success at the club.

It has been a mixed week for the World Cup winner, who was part of the disappointing derby defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday evening, but was later named in the Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year for 2018/19.

Solskjaer was quizzed on the midfielder at the Aon Training Complex ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match against Chelsea, and spoke eloquently on the Academy’s graduate’s future, the pressure placed on his performances for United and his leadership qualities.

“You can't guarantee anything in football,” admitted the boss, when asked about Pogba’s future, “but, yes, I think Paul is going to be here [next season]. I can assure you that he is now very determined to succeed at Man United.”

Reporters followed up by asking for the Norwegian’s thoughts on the often-extreme reactions to our no.6’s performances.

“That's just the standards he's set,” explained the boss. “He's creating chances, scoring goals, he's doing loads of work - and that's just media, that's supporters, it's everyone, that we look to Paul: could you have done better?

Ole was keen to point out Pogba’s contribution this season – which, to date, has yielded 16 goals and 11 assists – as well as his qualities as a person.

“Paul's done fantastic for us, and you can see in games he's a human being as well,” continued Solskjaer. “He's a human being. He's human, and we're all the same [in] that we want him to do well.

“He's a leader in that dressing room and on the pitch for us.“

Solskjaer: Leadership in football has changed

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes that the concept of leadership within a football team has changed since the era in which he played alongside legendary Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

After a 2-0 defeat to league leaders Manchester City on Wednesday evening, critics suggested that the Reds’ current side could benefit from a strong figure like Keane or Bryan Robson to galvanise them during tough periods.

The Irishman, who was part of seven title-winning sides during his time at United between 1993 and 2005, was himself part of Sky Sports’ live coverage for the derby in midweek.

But on Friday morning, in a press conference at the Aon Training Complex ahead of United’s Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday (kick-off 16:30 BST), Solskjaer told reporters that football – and wider culture – has moved on since the ‘80s and ‘90s.

“I think you know as well that the world has changed,” pondered the Norwegian. “So you don't have a Robbo, you don't have a Roy Keane, you don't have a Steve Bruce in our dressing room.

“We're all different and we have a squad full of talented players, and leadership is so many different things and they had it in one way.”

“I loved to play under Roy Keane anyway, he was a fantastic captain. Everyone here spoke about Robbo, of course,” remembered Solskjaer of the club’s longest-serving captain, who held the role from 1982 until his retirement in 1994.

“But we're all different now,” he continued. “Society's different and we're all different in the way we lead. I don't lead in the same way as Sir Alex did. Van Gaal, Mourinho - we're all different leaders.”

Solskjaer joined the club in 1996 when Eric Cantona was captain, but played under the on-field leadership of Keane between 1997 and 2005, before Gary Neville assumed the reins of a position he held until 2010 – two years after Ole’s retirement in 2008.

Solskjaer's team news update for Chelsea clash

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that midfielder Ander Herrera could be available to feature against Chelsea on Sunday.

The Spaniard has missed all six of United’s games so far in April with a hamstring problem and last featured for the Reds in the 2-1 win against Watford on 30 March.

However, ahead of our crucial game against Chelsea this weekend, the boss said Herrera could be in line to return.

“[There are] three games left of the season and Ander has been training, he's been enthusiastic,” Ole told the assembled media in his press conference.

“He'll probably be involved. I think he's fit enough to be involved on Sunday. I can't guarantee it, because there's still two days left, but he's trained the last two days.”

The return of the midfielder would be a welcome boost against the Blues - and he even found the back of the net when we last faced Maurizio Sarri's team, during our 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fifth-round victory in February.

Ole also faced questions about another Spaniard on Friday morning, when he was asked whether he had considered dropping David De Gea on Sunday.

“No. Not at all,” the Norwegian responded. “I trust David and he's, for me, been the best player United have had in the last six or seven years. He's been absolutely outstanding and going through tough patches is just part of a footballer's career. David will be fine, no worries.”

While De Gea is set to feature at the weekend, one man whose involvement is unclear at the moment is Scott McTominay, who missed Wednesday’s loss to Manchester City.

“Scott failed a fitness test on Wednesday morning, so he’s going to have another one today [Friday] probably to see if he’s available,” the boss exclusively told MUTV.

HOW ABOUT CHELSEA?

Chelsea could be without influential midfielder N’Golo Kante for Sunday’s game. The World Cup winner picked up a rib injury in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Monday, which forced him to be withdrawn at half-time.

It is unclear whether he will be fit enough to feature against the Reds but, should he miss out at Old Trafford, his spot is likely to be filled by either Matteo Kovacic or Ross Barkley, who could feature in a three-man midfield alongside Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said: “We are trying to recover Kante but I am not sure at the moment.”

The Italian also revealed that Antonio Rudiger is available again after the defender missed the Burnley clash on Monday.

However, one man who will sit out the trip to Manchester is exciting young talent Callum Hudson-Odoi. The winger was replaced against Burnley through injury and, on Wednesday, he had surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon, a problem which it appears will rule him out for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.

“The operation of Callum went in the right way. He will be back here in one or two days. He needs time now. Callum is a very young man, physically and mentally. I am sure he will be able to return better than before,” Sarri said on Friday.

With star man Eden Hazard likely to start, the Chelsea manager could turn to Pedro or Willian to fill the void created on the other flank by Hudson-Odoi’s omission. Gonzalo Higuain was the lone striker against Burnley and could be deployed in a similar role on Sunday.

United reiterate anti-discrimination stance

Ahead of Sunday’s Premier League against Chelsea, Manchester United would like to remind all supporters of its commitment to ensuring that Old Trafford continues to be a welcoming environment to all people and will take the strongest possible action against any offensive or discriminatory behaviour.

The club strives to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion throughout so that Old Trafford is free from all forms of discrimination.

In 2016, the club launched its own equality programme, #allredallequal which encompasses all the hard work done by the club, players, staff and supporters within this essential area. In recent weeks the newly developed HATRED campaign was launched as the club reaffirmed its commitment to challenging all forms of discrimination.

The club continues to work closely with organisations such as Kick It Out, Stonewall, Level Playing Field, MUDSA and many more groups as Manchester United looks to be at the forefront of equality.

#allredallequal showcases best practice in all aspects of equality and everybody in the Manchester United family has an important part to play. If you are witness to, or subject of any discriminatory language or behaviour at Old Trafford, then please speak to your nearest steward.

Alternatively, supporters can text HELP to 60442 followed by the stand, row and seat of the offender and the nature of the problem.

Credit: Manutd.com

Pogba named in PFA Team of the Year

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been named in the Professional Footballers' Association Premier League Team of the Year for the 2018/19 season.

The Frenchman is the only non-Liverpool and Manchester City representative in the XI, which was voted for by Premier League players from each of the 20 clubs in the division.

Pogba has registered 13 goals in the league - a tally no midfielder in the division has bettered and enjoyed his most productive campaign in terms of hitting the net.

The midfield man has also been a provider of goals and has accrued nine assists throughout the season. He has missed just three league games all year.

It is the first time the 26-year-old has been included in the PFA Team of the Year, which, this season, is made up entirely of players from the north-west, with City having six representatives and Liverpool players occupying the other four spots.

The PFA will hold their end-of-season awards dinner on Sunday 28 April at the Grosvenor House, where the Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year, for which Marcus Rashford has been shortlisted, will receive their trophies.

A United player has scooped the award on eight previous occasions, with Wayne Rooney our last victor, in 2010.

Manchester City keeper Ederson's inclusion ends a run of four successive seasons in goal for David De Gea.

PFA 2018/19 Premier League Team of the Year:

Ederson Moraes - Manchester City
Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk - Liverpool
Aymeric Laporte - Manchester City
Andrew Robertson - Liverpool
Paul Pogba - Manchester United
Bernardo Silva - Manchester City
Fernandinho - Manchester City
Sergio Aguero - Manchester City
Raheem Sterling - Manchester City
Sadio Mane - Liverpool

Solskjaer not thinking about Europa League

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still believes his team can qualify for next season's Champions League.

Another costly defeat, 2-0 against Manchester City, has left the Reds in sixth spot in the table with three games remaining. However, Arsenal's 3-1 loss to Wolves, and Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Burnley on Monday, has ensured United are still in with an outside chance of finishing in the top four.

Ole's men will go level on points with Chelsea with victory, even if the Blues are currently eight goals better off, and Arsenal are a couple of points ahead of United as things stand before their noon clash at Leicester City on Sunday.

“We need more quality on Sunday and if we win that game, we have two games [to try to get into the Champions League],” said the boss.

“Of course, we want to get into the top four. I haven’t been planning on playing on Thursday nights yet. We just have to make sure we give ourselves a chance on Sunday.

”We're three games away from the end of the season, we’re three points behind the top four and no-one would have given us a chance a few months ago.

“It’s maybe taken its toll on the players. It’s my job now to see who wants to sacrifice enough to be here.”

In a separate interview with MUTV, Ole urged the fans to get behind the team again for the visit of Maurizio Sarri's Londoners.

“Sunday is a massive one. Sunday is something we have got to get ready for. The crowd has got to get ready for it, the players have got to get ready for it.

”Of course. we have analysed them. Let's just make sure we turn up on Sunday with the same attitude and a little bit more quality in front of goal hopefully.

“Let's get the win that everybody wants, that the fans deserve and that the players deserve because they have made a terrific effort to give us a chance with three games to go to get in the top four.”

We have got to start playing like United

Marcus Rashford has stressed Manchester United need to stop thinking about finishing in the top four and concentrate on playing like the club should.

The Reds competed well in the first half of the derby before title-chasing City took control with goals from Bernardo Silva and substitute Leroy Sane.

The double salvo deflated the crowd and the players and it became a disappointingly low-key end to a game that had started with such intensity.

A seventh defeat in nine games clearly pained Rashford, who worked hard in attack, and he spoke honestly to Sky Sports about the defeat and what needs to be rectified ahead of Sunday's clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford.

“We haven’t been playing like Man United and that’s not right,” he said. “The bare minimum it should be is to work hard and give your all for the badge, for the supporters, for the fans. And just for the club, but it's important as well to give it for yourself, because it’s been a tough road to get where we were.

”We never expected to be in this position, but we got there and to be not putting in those performances we were at the beginning of January, it’s disappointing for the players. The last couple of weeks, we know what’s been going wrong and it’s just a matter of putting it back to how it was and mentality and willingness to run for your team.“

Rashford was not prepared to consider the bigger picture ahead of the match with Chelsea at the weekend, even though victory could resurrect our flagging hopes of a top-four spot, particularly after Arsenal were beaten 3-1 at Wolves.

“We lost the game,” he added. “What’s important is this game, I’ve always said it’s more than just a game. Forget the league, forget the top four, this game you don’t lose and, toda,y they’ve come here and they’ve beaten us and it’s disappointing as a Man United fan.

”It’s more just getting used to doing it on the pitch because we’ve shown that we can do it. We’ve shown ourselves, we’ve shown the manager and the fans, they know that we can do it and that’s what is the most disappointing thing because we’re not doing it and we have to get to the bottom of it and start performing like Man United.

“Forget the top four, forget Champions League next season. We have to play like Man United for ourselves.”

When asked what the mood was like in the dressing room, and whether there were some harsh words for each other, the England international stressed how vital it is that everybody continues to stick together.

“No, we never call each other out,” he said. “But we understand. We have to be real with each other and it’s never a case of calling someone out to single someone out.

”Never, ever will any of us do that in the team, so it’s a matter of trying to improve each other and that’s important in a team. If you want to improve, we have a lot of young players, so we need those type of instructions.“

Solskjaer backs De Gea after Manchester derby

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has thrown his support behind goalkeeper David De Gea and revealed our no.1 is working hard to meet the high standards that he has set.

The Spaniard made a series of good saves in the first half of Wednesday's derby against Manchester City, to twice deny Raheem Sterling and also Bernardo Silva, but he could not stop the latter from cutting a low shot into the bottom corner of his near post at the start of the second period.

Our usually-impeccable stopper was then visibly angered after he was unable to kick away Leroy Sane’s shot as City doubled their advantage.

De Gea’s performance was a subject of conversation in the post-match press conference and Solskjaer was quick to back his man, stating that David – and everyone else in the squad – is working hard to improve at a time in the season when a strong team dynamic is absolutely pivotal.

“I think David made some terrific saves tonight,” the manager told reporters. “David’s got high standards he’s set himself. He’s working really hard to improve. That's everyday work for everyone.

“When we are having a time like this, we have just got to stick together, batten the hatches down and make sure we don’t do anything rash, anything stupid and keep working and stick together as a team, because we have to come back fighting on Sunday.”

De Gea’s preference to make saves with any part of his body and often his feet has helped him to become one of the world’s best goalkeepers, with his unique technique earning much acclaim.

While the 28-year-old could have done better with Sane’s goal, his overall quality cannot be questioned and even former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is backing his United counterpart.

“He should make that save because it’s his style,” said Hart on Sky Sports. “He’s top quality at that. He’s just mistimed it. He’s gone to go with the sole of his boot and it's hit him higher up the leg. His style is to be low down. At the moment it’s not going for him. Nine times out of ten he makes that save.

“He's a top goalkeeper,” continued Hart, now at Burnley. “I've never seen a keeper like him. I love watching him, he’s so brave, you can’t knock him. He could pass the ball, make a mistake and concede a goal but he would still be the same goalkeeper, making the same decisions.

“He's a human being who cares about his football and playing for Manchester United. I'm sure he just wants to get back to the level and be their best player - saving them at every opportunity.”

Premier League: Man. United 0 Man. City 2

Manchester United suffered a second-half blitz from City that left the Reds with no answer in the derby at Old Trafford.

Goals from Bernardo Silva and Leroy Sane after the interval wrecked a decent first half by the hosts. But the home defeat was damaging for United’s hopes of creeping into the two last vacant Champions League berths in the Premier League.

The only positive on that front, with three games to go, was that top-four rivals Arsenal were soundly beaten 3-1 at Wolves, leaving the door still ajar for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.

United had been stewing on the Everton defeat on Sunday and Solskjaer wanted a response. The manager appeared to get it early on as the Reds troubled City’s normal fluid dominance of matches.

There was a bite and confidence missing at Goodison as we flew into the opening exchanges with the Reds' intensity forcing the Blues into errors and the momentum also had City making unforced mistakes as well.

Vincent Kompany and Kyle Walker both looked unhinged and the City captain was given a 10th minute yellow card by referee Andre Marriner for a cynical body-check on Marcus Rashford as the striker threatened to speed past the Belgian defender.

Paul Pogba had the first telling effort on goal of a frantic opening as he sent a dipping shot just in front of City keeper Ederson. The Brazilian gathered up the drive.

United, however, were almost caught out in the 15th minute by Raheem Sterling. His shot was dreadfully weak but was diverted by Chris Smalling and the deflection almost wrong-footed David De Gea.

The Reds were piling up the goal attempts with in an exciting flurry that saw Fred smash one over and Jesse Lingard volley wide a brilliant Pogba long ball as the Old Trafford crowd were well behind the side.

City halted the flow on their own goal when Bernardo Silva blasted in a shot in the 19th minute that De Gea beat away.

United immediately raced away on the counter attack and Rashford almost beat Ederson in a race, but it was the City keeper who came out the winner. Mancunian Rashford was clearly up for the local showdown and hit a long-range bullet that rose just over the bar to keep up the Reds' momentum.

City began to douse United’s fire as they got into their possession game and, as they continued with their control, they carved out their best chance of the match.

Quick passing in the home penalty area presented Sterling a chance to dance his way into some space and his low shot from close range was saved by De Gea as the Blues threatened to make a breakthrough under the noses of the Stretford End.

After the break, City lost their central midfielder Fernandinho to injury and he was replaced by Sane but it didn’t derail the visitors and they made their post-interval dominance count after 54 minutes.

An Ilkay Gundogan pass got Bernardo Silva on the ball on the right flank and he took on Luke Shaw, cut inside and fired low into the net at the near post. It was all too easy an opener and a setback for the Reds.

United almost conjured up an instant replay but Lingard couldn’t quite connect with Rashford’s lofted cross close in, after it was missed by Kompany.

Pogba had a free-kick chance square on goal from 20 yards out but could only batter his set-piece into City’s defensive wall.

City, though, were dangerously rising through the gears and United could ill afford errors but Fred gave away the ball to Kompany, the defender quickly set Sterling free and he raced at pace into the Reds' half and freed substitute Sane to crack in a shot that beat De Gea for City’s second after 66 minutes.

United’s first-half zip, energy and confidence had gone completely flat as City took complete control of the derby. Solskjaer brought Romelu Lukaku on for Andreas after 72 minutes but the Belgian miscued a decent chance soon after.

The manager made a double substitution in the 83rd minute as he looked to launch a late dramatic finale by bringing on Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez for Lingard and Darmian.

Despite having four attackers on the pitch, the Reds were unable to find a way back into the match and slipped to another disappointing defeat.

THE TEAMS

United: De Gea, Young (c), Darmian (Alexis 83), Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Pogba, Fred, A. Pereira (Lukaku 72); Lingard (Martial 83), Rashford.

Subs not used: Romero, Dalot Mata, Matic

Booked: Andreas, Shaw

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; Gundogan (Danilo 89), Fernandinho (Sane 51), David Silva; Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Aguero (Jesus 89).

Subs not used: Muric, Mahrez, Otamendi, Foden.

Scorers: Bernardo Silva 54, Sane 66

Booked: Kompany, Zinchenko

Attendance: 74,431

Rashford: We'll do our best to win for you

From watching in the stands to living his dream on the pitch, Marcus Rashford has been truly immersed in the rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City since he was a child.

Tonight's contest sees both teams needing a positive result to achieve the season's ultimate objectives. The Reds are embroiled in a fiercely tight tussle with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to secure a top-four finish, while our cross-city rivals need a victory to sustain their title challenge with Liverpool.

Rashford, who joined our Academy at the age of eight, soon learned of the importance of the local bragging rights at stake in the Manchester derby but said that the emotions surrounding the game differ from our rivalry with Liverpool.

“United versus City and United versus Liverpool mean the most to every United player and every United fan,” our no.10 said in an interview you can read in tonight's United Review - the official matchday programme.

“But, as a player, you have to understand that every game in the league is for three points and, whether you’re playing against Everton or Chelsea, they all have the exact same importance as when you play City or Liverpool. It’s the emotions which are a bit different.”

Marcus has tasted the famous Old Trafford atmosphere in a Manchester derby as a spectator before and knows all too well what a win means to the fans. The 21-year-old was among the supporters in the Stretford End when Wayne Rooney scored his magnificent overhead kick in our derby day victory in 2011.

“I’ve been there [in the Stretford End] twice for derbies,” Rashford explained. “I remember I was sat high up when I was six years old for the first one, so that will have been around 2003. The atmosphere was ridiculously good!

”I sat in the same kind of place when Wazza [Wayne Rooney] scored his overhead kick. That was unbelievable and those are the moments that live forever.“

From watching a great in action to etching his name into United folklore, Rashford's breakthrough season in the first team included a goal on his Manchester derby debut. On City's own patch, Marcus broke the deadlock after 18 minutes and it would prove to be the winning goal as the Reds took all three points at the Etihad Stadium.

“It was a great feeling,” Marcus said. “At the time of the goal, the game was quite open. They had a few more clear-cut chances and I think that was probably our first proper chance and we took it. When you go 1-0 up in the big games, you then have to control the game differently, and in that game we did it perfectly.”

Three years on from Rashford's heroics at the Etihad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team will aim to get the better of Pep Guardiola's men under the lights at Old Trafford.

As a Red himself, Marcus knows what the passionate United faithful expect and sends this message to them.

“I know the fans are always emotionally attached to this game, like we are, and I’d just say always keep that feeling and we’ll do our best to get the three points.”

Ole: Top-four spot is our only focus

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to see Manchester United back challenging at the very top of the Premier League table, and admits he's not enjoyed seeing our two fiercest rivals compete for the title this season.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City have matched each other stride for stride over the course of the campaign, something which has been tough for United fans to take.

The battle to win the league will certainly take a drastic twist one way or another on Wednesday when we host City. An away win will see our cross-city rivals return to the top of the table but, should we win or draw, it will hand the initiative to Liverpool with just three games remaining.

Despite that, Ole insists the title race has no bearing on United’s mindset ahead of Wednesday’s game, as we aim to secure a top-four finish.

“It’s not about taking something away from others,” the boss said in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference at the Aon Training Complex.

“We have to want to overtake them, and not just because it’s City and Liverpool. For a supporter, as I am, and as a manager now as well, we know [them well] because they are so close in the vicinity.

“We want to be the best, we have been the best and it’s not nice seeing those two at the top.“

While Ole is aiming to get United back to the very top of English football, he knows it will take time to reduce the gap.

“You cannot expect things to happen overnight,” he said. “We know that and it will happen gradually and we have to be realistic enough as a club that we have to take it step by step. That’s not changing 10 players now and bringing 10 players in.

“It’s slowly, but surely. As I’ve said many times [it has to be the] right quality, right personality, right mentality, standards to get us back to where we want to get to.

“The last 18 games we’re not far away from them [Liverpool and City], but it’s doing that over a course of a season. We’ve done it for half a season now to be up there. Let’s see.”

Ole previously said he wanted to pick up 12 points form the remaining 15 available, but Sunday’s loss against Everton means we must win all of our final four games to accomplish that target. However, the boss knows it’s something we’re capable of.

“For these players it’s possible, but we’ve got to change our mindsets,“ Ole added. ”We’ve got to be ready for it. We can’t sulk, we can’t be dwelling on whatever’s happened in the last few weeks. We’ve got to be ready and we know that football changes like this.

“It’s on days - certain days, you’re lucky, you win games, you’re unlucky, you lose games. But in the long run that’s standards, the identity, the professionalism, that’s your value as a footballer that will take over and make you successful in the end. But short term, definitely we can win these four.“

Ole: The derby's the best game we could ask for

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the Manchester derby is the ideal platform as his players look for a swift recovery from Sunday's disappointing result against Everton.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, the United boss stated his desire to see a response from his squad and outlined how he plans to deal with Manchester City's trademark high press when our local rivals make the short trip to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

“That's the best game we could ask for now,” Ole said. “We had a meeting after the game and you can see that all the players are definitely, definitely disappointed and really hurt by that performance.

”The City game is the perfect one to respond [in].

“There's no hiding place on the pitch. I've said it so many times - our fans will back you whatever the result is, as long as you give that effort.”

In Solskjaer's time at the helm, the Norwegian and his coaching staff have utilised the players' qualities on the counter attack. However with Pep Guardiola's side synonymous with pressing high up the field, Ole was cautious about how the Reds will need to go about the game.

“Against a City side that's been very, very good we've got to turn up,” said the United manager.

“We've got to be ready for their pressing, because they've got quality on the ball, so we've got to defend well. When we win the ball we've got to be ready for their aggression, because they will snap at your heels and ankles.

“They are not going to allow us easy counter attacking because there will be fouls, absolutely no doubt about it, because when you watch their games they commit so many players forward and they'll be stopping us as high as they can I think.”

Wednesday night's test is the first of four remaining fixtures which are all going to be vital if the Reds are to secure a spot in the top four, which remains very much a possibility after rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were also unable to win their Easter weekend games.

On Sunday, fellow top-four chasers Chelsea roll into Manchester. Seven days later, we'll have our last away day of the campaign, on Sunday 5 May against already relegated Huddersfield Town, before Ole's side come up against a struggling Cardiff City at Old Trafford on the final day of the season.

“We'll focus on Wednesday now and I'm sure we'll get a good response,” added Solskjaer.

“We believe in them. Of course these players know they let themselves down as individuals, as a team. Me as well. I'm in charge and I'm the one that's giving them instructions on how we're going to play and it's my duty to get them performing better than that, but I'm sure we'll get a response.”

Despite our recent run of results, Ole remains confident that United will be able to rekindle the form that was on show in his earlier months in charge. Since the manager's arrival in mid-December, just City and Liverpool have accrued more points in the top flight.

“They've been the only two teams that have taken more points than us in the last 18-19 games and that's great, the boys have done fantastic,” said Solskjaer.

“Of course we don't enjoy losing games. We've lost three out of the last five league games and that's a bit too many, but that's football. That's the Premier League for you.”

Solskjaer welcomes Shaw's return for City clash

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is delighted to have Manchester United defender Luke Shaw available again following his recent suspensions.

The full-back has missed the last three United matches, but could return to the line-up when we face Manchester City in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Shaw was ineligible for the Reds’ last two league games against West Ham United and Everton, after he picked up his 10th booking of the season in our recent meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Shaw was also forced to sit out United’s Champions League trip to Barcelona last week after he picked up a yellow card in the first leg, meaning he reached the suspension threshold in the competition.

The 23-year-old has been one of the Reds' most consistent performers this season, winning the club's Player of the Month award on three separate occasions - more than any other first-team player in the current campaign.

“Luke’s been very good,” Ole told MUTV on Tuesday morning.

“He’s disappointed that he’s missed the three games that he has. He knows he has to improve on that.

“Some of his yellow cards weren’t yellow cards but some of them are his fault where he’s taken the easy option. We’ve spoken about that.

“It’ll be great to have him back because, both defensively and in attack, he’s been one of our best players.”

Shaw has been a regular starter on Ole’s team sheet since the Norwegian took charge of the side in December. In fact, prior to his recent suspensions, the defender had missed just two games under Solskjaer's management.

If the former Southampton man slots straight in at left-back on Wednesday, then Diogo Dalot could return to the right, where Ashley Young and Victor Lindelof provide alternative choices.

In the heart of defence, Ole is likely to select two from Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

'We have to give everything on Wednesday'

Paul Pogba believes Manchester United need a performance similar to the one at the Etihad Stadium last season, if we are to triumph in the derby and upset City's Premier League title bid.

The Reds have suffered a downturn in form and were poor in the 4-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend.

Pogba is making no excuses for the performance and admits the only way to repay the supporters is by showing a vast improvement against Pep Guardiola's Blues at Old Trafford.

Pogba scored twice in April 2018 as United came from two goals down to win 3-2 with an incredible second-half show at City. The Blues were poised to celebrate clinching the title but were instead forced to put the champagne on ice after a turnaround that stunned the home crowd.

There needs to be an equally stirring display, from the first whistle, if United are to erase the memories of a disappointing week, which also featured a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.

“Well, it was last season so for me it’s the past,” Pogba told MUTV, when asked about last year's 3-2 success in the away fixture. “But we stopped them from celebrating [the title] against Manchester United so that was good for us.

”We gave everything, we didn’t think about anything else, we just went on the pitch and gave our best. We’re going to do the same thing this time but it’s going to be different as they need to win because they are in a race for the title and we can block them from that.

“But, for us, we need to win, that’s very important. Both of us need three points.”

Pogba felt the display at Goodison Park was “disrespectful” and he knows that it will only be with actions on the field that the players can atone for a damaging defeat on Merseyside.

“There’s one thing that we have to do – words are not enough – we have to show on the pitch and show to the fans that we’re better than that,” he added. “What we did is not respectful for ourselves or for the fans. They kept pushing us on, even after 4-0, they were there still pushing us and giving us strength. We want to thank them for that and we have to apologise to them with a good performance, a good result and a good attitude on the pitch.

”We might lose games but the attitude and the performance of the team has to be better, for sure.“

Early team news for the Manchester derby

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is seeking a response from the hugely disappointing defeat at Everton as the Reds face City in the derby on Wednesday.

Despite a painful 4-0 reverse to the Toffees, Arsenal's surprise home loss to Crystal Palace suggests there could still be more twists and turns in the battle for a top-four spot in the Premier League.

City have their own agenda as they face a real scrap to retain the title. Matters remain in their own hands - if they win their last four fixtures, they will pip Liverpool to first place, but the Merseysiders are currently two points clear at the summit, having played a game more, and are primed to exploit any single slip-up.

There is some positive news with the return of Luke Shaw at left-back after a two-game domestic suspension and the European ban that caused him to miss the Champions League defeat to Barcelona. Marcos Rojo, Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot filled the gap in those three outings but our latest Player of the Month will be determined to show he is still in top form and a contender for our overall SIr Matt Busby Player of the Year award.

However, Phil Jones will need to be assessed after apparently picking up an injury while making a tremendous challenge at Goodison Park. The centre-back was withdrawn at the interval, with Young coming off the bench and Victor Lindelof reverting to a more familiar position at the heart of the defence, alongside Chris Smalling.

Solskjaer appeared exasperated after witnessing the poor performance on Sunday and it is highly likely he will be contemplating shaking things up for the visit of the Blues, whose Quadruple bid ended with the Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.

Fit-again Alexis Sanchez is one option after an encouraging cameo at the Nou Camp against his old club, although he did not get off the bench at Everton. Scott McTominay was one of the substitutes used at Goodison by the manager, replacing Fred, and his energy could be valuable in trying to nullify City's passing and pressing tactics.

Solskjaer is likely to provide an update on the availability of Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly and Antonio Valencia when addressing the media on Tuesday morning.

The manager may decide to inject some youth into the matchday squad, despite the magnitude of the occasion. Mason Greenwood came on against West Ham United recently and took his goal tally for the season to 29 in 28 appearances at all youth levels with a double in the Under-18s' 2-1 win at table-topping Derby County on Saturday.

This latest reminder of his potential came after Ole said: “Mason Greenwood, 17 years of age and, yeah, you are for me. We want to give you a chance to be a top player at this club.”

Angel Gomes, James Garner and Tahith Chong were among those who, like Greenwood, impressed in the last Under-23s outing - a 5-0 victory at Newcastle United.

For Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne picked up what is being described as a “muscular injury” in the 1-0 win over Spurs with the City boss seeming to already rule him out of the derby.

That would appear to be the only issue for the visitors, except for the continued absence of back-up keeper Claudio Bravo, as the fact influential midfielder Fernandinho has not started the couple of matches is said to be due to tactical reasons.

The Week Ahead for United

As the end of the season draws ever closer, there is plenty going on at Manchester United.

It’s a big week across the club, with two of our teams playing their final games of the campaign while the first team have two massive matches at home.

Here’s what is coming up over the next seven days…

MONDAY
The Reds will be recovering from Sunday’s Premier League defeat against Everton at Goodison Park, while a number of our fans will still be celebrating the Easter holidays. Later in the day, subscribers to MUTV will be able to watch the latest episode of The Paddy Crerand Show live at 18:30 BST, as the club legend discusses the fall-out to the 4-0 loss with callers and his studio guests. Elsewhere, former United striker Dion Dublin and Under-23s goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara, who is currently on loan at Macclesfield Town, both celebrate birthdays. It’s also six years since Robin van Persie scored that memorable hat-trick against Aston Villa to clinch our last Premier League title.

TUESDAY
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will speak to the media in his press conference as his side step up preparations at the Aon Training Complex ahead of the midweek Manchester derby. It’s also 18 years to the day since Ruud van Nistelrooy signed for the club, 16 years since we beat Real Madrid’s Galacticos 4-3, on the night, at Old Trafford in the Champions League, and three years on from Anthony Martial’s late winner against Everton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

WEDNESDAY
It’s the first of two big home games for United as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City make the short trip across town for a crucial derby match at Old Trafford. You will be able to follow our coverage on ManUtd.com and the official app as ever, while MUTV subscribers can watch live build-up to the 20:00 BST kick-off from 18:30 BST. Elsewhere, we beat Bristol City 1-0 to lift our first FA Cup on this day in 1909, while Norman Whiteside made his United debut in 1982 and Wayne Rooney scored that stunning volley, one of his best goals for the club, against Newcastle in 2005.

THURSDAY
The Reds will recover from Wednesday’s game and look towards Sunday’s huge match against Chelsea. Meanwhile, it’s exactly a decade to the day since we came from 2-0 down to beat Tottenham 5-2 in that thrilling match at Old Trafford. Also, our famous ground hosted its first European Cup tie on this day in 1957 against Real Madrid. Look out for the third episode of Kicking Off – a brand new show involving United fans which you can watch and interact with live in the official app from 18:30 BST.

FRIDAY
Solskjaer will hold his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s battle with the Blues, with the time of the media briefing yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, it’s the final day of the season for the Under-23s, with Ricky Sbragia’s side signing off for the campaign against Wolves at Leigh Sports Village. There is free entry for all fans or you’ll be able to watch the 19:00 BST kick-off live on MUTV. There are a couple of anniversaries too – five years since Ryan Giggs oversaw a 4-0 win over Norwich in his first game as caretaker manager and United were crowned champions on this day in 1952.

SATURDAY
It’s also a final assignment of 2018/19 for our Under-18s this weekend, as Neil Ryan’s lads welcome Everton to the Aon Training Complex with third taking on fourth in the Under-18 Premier League North. Kick-off is at 11:00 BST and you can watch the game live on MUTV. Elsewhere, as the Jewish Passover comes to an end in the evening for some of our fans, we’ll be marking 20 years since a 2-0 win over historic rivals Leeds United, thanks to goals from Andrei Kanchelskis and Ryan Giggs.

SUNDAY
Casey Stoney’s Reds play a first game as champions of the FA Women’s Championship, as United Women travel to Dartford to play Millwall Lionesses in our final away fixture of the campaign (kick-off 14:00 BST). Soon after the final whistle blows there, Solskjaer’s side host Chelsea in a significant clash in the race to secure a top-four finish. Kick-off at the Theatre of Dreams is at 16:30 BST, with the usual build-up getting under way across our channels from 15:00 BST. Juan Mata could face his former club on the Spaniard’s 31st birthday. Elsewhere, Sir Bobby Charlton made his 758th and final appearance for the club on this day in 1973.

It's all about honouring the shirt

Juan Mata and David De Gea have responded with some passionate words after the disappointing defeats to Barcelona and Everton in the past week.

It is clear how much the Spanish duo are hurting as the Reds exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage and now face an uphill struggle to keep any hopes of finishing in the top four of the Premier League alive.

Echoing the thoughts of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the players have accepted the performances have not been up to the level required at United.

In his weekly blog, Mata has titled a brief post: 'Honouring the shirt'.

It simply reads: “Today, I truly have no motivation to write anything. I can only imagine the disappointment and sadness that each of you has been feeling since Tuesday and I understand.

”Thank you for your unconditional support, there is only one way forward but just words aren't enough: to give everything for this shirt, for this club and for all of you.“

The midfielder was an unused substitute against both Barcelona and Everton but David De Gea started the matches and was captain for the 4-0 loss at Goodison Park.

It is clear the keeper was devastated by the overall display on Merseyside as he said on his social media accounts: “It's difficult to put what I am feeling today into words. As captain, I want to say that the performance of he team today, on top of the result, was not up to the standard expected when you pull on this shirt.

“We know that we have to improve but words mean little: we have to give everything for this club.

”Thank you for your unconditional support.“

Young: We'll be ready for the derby

Ashley Young insists the Manchester United players don't need reminding of the importance of Wednesday night's derby against Manchester City.

The Reds' top-four hopes were dealt a blow as we suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Everton on Easter Sunday.

However, the 33-year-old made clear that the squad would be ready for the visit of our cross-city rivals.

“We've just got to apologise to the fans and we've got a tough one coming up on Wednesday with the Manchester derby,” Young told Stewart Gardner after Sunday's game.

“We know how important that's going to be. If you can't get yourselves up for the Manchester derby, there's something wrong.

“I've got confidence that we're going to be ready for Wednesday. It's a disappointing day today but we've got to dust ourselves down fairly quickly and go again this week.”

The Reds are sixth in the Premier League and still have an outside chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Three of our final four fixtures are at Old Trafford, with Chelsea making the trip up to Manchester on Sunday. We then travel to already-relegated Huddersfield Town on 5 May before a home game against Cardiff City on the final day of the season - and Young believes we should be aiming for a maximum 12 points.

“It's four games, it's four winnable games. If you'd said in October, we would be in this position we'd have taken it, but a club like Manchester United, we should be looking much further up the table,”

Young added: “We've got four games left, we've got four wins to get. It's gonna be tough but I'm sure we can do it. “We were 4-0 down and [the fans] were still singing. They've been fantastic and we've got to go and put a performance in on Wednesday.”

Solskjaer says United need to look ahead

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted Manchester United need to bounce back quickly from the 4-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.

The boss said that the players need to refocus ahead of the visits of Manchester City and Chelsea to Old Trafford, and also spoke about the need for the squad to stick together and fight for the club in the wake of a damaging result in terms of the fight for a place in the top four of the Premier League.

WE MUST REACT

“We have City at Old Trafford on Wednesday - that's the biggest incentive we can have. Old Trafford, at home, in front of our fantastic fans. The fans were unbelievable today. In the short term, we have to focus on these two games – massive games, if we win these games, we're still in with a chance. There are 12 points to be won. It sounds too easy to look forward but we cannot dwell on this too much. In the long term, we'll look at this but, short term, we've got to look at City and Chelsea.”

EVERTON WERE FITTER THAN US

“Our basic fitness is nowhere near good enough – I can't wait to get a pre-season done. We've done fantastic to get to where we are. Maybe things have caught up with us and we all know that, to win games of football, you need basics and fitness has nothing to do with talent. I’ve said it before, I want my team to be the hardest-working team in the league, that’s what we were under Sir Alex. That’s what we’ve always been. You had Giggsy, Becks, Gary Neville, Denis Irwin, whoever. But no matter the talent you’ve got, you have to run more than anyone. Every single week, you must do that shift up and down that pitch for your team-mates.“

SORRY FOR THE FANS

“From the first whistle everything went wrong. I just want to apologise to the fans. They’re the only people with the badge on today who can hold their head high, because we can’t.”

IN THIS TOGETHER

“We have to stick together as a team. We can't change the whole squad. One step at a time. I've said all along I'm going to be successful here. There are some players who won't be part of that successful team but there are some who will. We were two points ahead of Everton when I came. I wasn't under any illusions we could win the league or challenge for the top three like this. If you look at the table, we're in the same position but the amount of points we've taken, that's credit to the players. Players will know that it has to mean everything to play for this club. Like the fans – they sang for 90 minutes and after the game as well.”

HAVE YOU SEEN ENOUGH HURT IN THE PLAYERS?

“I don’t know. You’ve got to ask them, I’ve asked them. You’re not going to get the answer from me. Of course, if you want to play at this club, it has to mean more. We can't change the whole squad, it’s one step at a time. I've said all along I’m going to be successful here. There are players there who won't be part of that successful team but there are players there, of course, who will be.”

THEY DESERVED IT

“It's not a surprise that you gave the stats that Everton ran more than us. It's not just about running, it's about sticking your head in. Defend the throw-in, the corner, and tackle, put your body on the line. It hurts to win football games. These are just basics. We were far off Everton today. They beat us fair and square and they deserve all the credit.”

Solskjaer issues apology to United fans

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said sorry to the club's supporters after the heavy 4-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday.

The Reds were simply never at the races in the Easter sunshine and soon fell behind to a Richarlison opener. Gylfi Sigurdsson broke to add a second from Marcus Rashford's corner and further strikes in the second half by Lucas Digne and substitute Theo Walcott delivered a huge blow to our hopes of finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

It was not good enough for the boss, who pulled no punches in his post-match assessment of the one-sided encounter, after acknowledging those loyal members of the support who made the trip to Merseyside following the final whistle.

“We have got to apologise to the fans,” he said. “That performance was not good enough for a Manchester United team - from me to the players.

”We know we let the fans and the club down. That performance is difficult to describe because it was so bad. They beat us on all the basics.

“We were beaten on all the ingredients you need, added to your talent, today. As I said last week as well, there is no place to hide on the pitch. It was 85 minutes before we had a shot on target. It's not good enough. We know that.”

The supporters need picking up for the Manchester derby on Wednesday night at Old Trafford as City look to take another step towards retaining the trophy by fending off Liverpool's challenge.

“We just got thumped 4-0 and they [the fans] never moaned at our players,” he added. “Which they could have done.

”They have been supportive again and I am sure they will support us on Wednesday night. It is up to us - the players and the staff - to get ourselves ready.“

Premier League: Everton 4 Man. United 0

It was a day to forget for Manchester United on Merseyside as Everton ran out 4-0 winners at Goodison Park on Easter Sunday.

First-half strikes from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson and further goals by Lucas Digne and substitute Theo Walcott condemned the Reds to a damaging defeat in the race for a top-four spot.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made three changes to the side that lost out in Barcelona in midweek with Diogo Dalot, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku, returning to his former club, coming in for Ashley Young, Scott McTominay and Jesse Lingard, who are all named on the bench. Everton, meanwhile, welcomed back former Reds Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Keane.

After Tottenham’s defeat at Manchester City 24 hours earlier, the Reds knew a victory would take us level on points with third-placed Spurs. Unfortunately for United, it was the hosts who were quickest out of the blocks and, in truth, they dominated the first 45 minutes in terms of efforts at goal.

With Sigurdsson pulling the strings in midfield and Richarlison proving a real menace to the United defence, the Reds were forced to retreat early on, thanks to a series of Everton set-plays. From one of those, the ball dropped to Idrissa Gueye, who sent the ball back in and only a brilliant reaction save from David De Gea prevented Richarlison from firing the hosts ahead.

Two minutes later, the Brazilian scored. A long throw-in from the left by Digne was flicked on and Richarlison spectacularly volleyed home into the roof of the net.

The Reds were struggling to get a foothold in the game but got a first glimpse of goal on 19 minutes when an excellent Paul Pogba ball over the top was flicked over the bar by Marcus Rashford.

United had another chance to apply some pressure on 28 minutes after winning a corner, but Rashford’s ball in was cleared, allowing Everton to break forward. Sigurdsson collected from Gueye and led the charge over the halfway line before taking aim, unopposed, from 25 yards and firing into the bottom corner past De Gea.

A slight mix-up in the United defence – when De Gea attempted to find Dalot with a throw – led to another chance as half-time approached but the Spanish stopper recovered well to prevent a second for Richarlison.

Solskjaer made two changes at the break with the injured Phil Jones replaced by Young and McTominay coming on for Fred. The Toffees lost Richarlison to a rib injury early on in the second period - Walcott came on in his place, but that didn’t stop the hosts’ dominance.

Unfortunately, the Toffees further extended their lead on 56 minutes when De Gea’s punched clearance from a corner fell to the unmarked Digne outside the area and the Frenchman fired home low in the corner.

Minutes later, Sigurdsson almost scored directly from a corner, but De Gea stuck out a foot to clear it. The Spaniard could do nothing to stop Everton netting a fourth just after the hour-mark as the outstanding Sigurdsson slipped the ball into the path of the onrushing Walcott on the left touchline and the forward skipped towards goal before slotting home.

The Reds had a couple of sights of goal thereafter, with both Anthony Martial and Matic firing wide, but, in truth, it was a day to forget for United. We now turn our attentions to two important home games - the Manchester derby on Wednesday and Chelsea on Sunday.

Everton: Pickford; Coleman (c), Keane, Zouma, Digne (Jagielka 85); Schneiderlin, Gueye (McCarthy 76); Richarlison (Walcott 51), Sigurdsson, Bernard; Calvert-Lewin.

Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Tosun, Davies, Lookman.

Goals: Richarlison 13, Sigurdsson 28, Digne 56, Walcott 64

Booked: Gueye

United: De Gea (c); Lindelof, Smalling, Jones (Young 46), Dalot; Matic, Fred (McTominay 46), Pogba; Rashford (Pereira 77), Lukaku, Martial.

Subs not used: Romero, Lingard, Mata, Alexis.

Booked: McTominay

Attendance: 39,395

Rasford Up For Top Accolade

Marcus Rashford has been nominated for the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year award for the second successive season.

The forward’s inclusion on the shortlist is a reflection of his outstanding progress at Manchester United throughout the 2018/19 season.

The England international has arguably enjoyed his best campaign to date, in his first wearing the famous no.10 shirt that he was handed last summer.

So far, Marcus has reached double figures in a Premier League season for the first time, despite suffering injuries which have kept him on the sidelines for periods. His nerveless penalty against Paris Saint-Germain – his first senior penalty for the club – that dramatically sealed United's place in the Champions League quarter-finals was another obvious highlight.

It’s been a landmark few months for Rashford, who turned 21 in October and reached 150 appearances for the Reds in January’s home win over Brighton, a game in which he scored to mark the milestone.

In January, he was voted both United’s and the Premier League’s Player of the Month for January. Meanwhile, his sublime strike against Tottenham in our 1-0 win at Wembley during that month was voted our Goal of the Month by fans.

During the season, he’s also netted in four successive league games for the first time in his career. Incidentally, Marcus needs just one goal and one assist to set his personal best tally for each in a single season for the Reds.

It's the second successive year that Rashford has been shortlisted for this award, which was eventually won by Manchester City's Leroy Sane last term.

Everyone at the club would like to congratulate Marcus on his nomination.

RASHFORD'S RECORD FOR UNITED

2018/19: 42 appearances, 13 goals, 9 assists
2017/18: 52 appearances, 13 goals, 9 assists
2016/17: 53 appearances, 11 goals, 6 assists
2015/16: 18 appearances, 8 goals, 2 assists
Stats in all competitions

WHAT IS THE AWARD?

The PFA Young Player of the Year is an annual award given to a player aged 23 or under at the start of the season who is adjudged to have been the best of the season in English football. The award was first handed out in the 1973/94 season.

HAVE OTHER UNITED PLAYERS WON IT BEFORE?

Well, the Reds have had more winners than any other club, with the award having been claimed by six different Reds on eight previous occasions. Mark Hughes was the first United star to win it back in 1984/85. There was a United stranglehold on the prize between 1991 and 1993 as it was given to Lee Sharpe and then twice to Ryan Giggs in consecutive seasons. David Beckham won it in 1996/97 before Wayne Rooney scooped it in 2004/05 and 2005/06. Cristiano Ronaldo followed in 2006/07, and is the last Red to pick up the accolade.

WHO DECIDES WHO WINS?

As it is a Professional Footballers’ Association award, the winner is chosen by fellow professionals – in particular PFA members – who take a vote. Therefore, it is seen as a prestigious prize by the players.

WHEN DO WE FIND OUT IF HE’S WON?

Marcus will discover if he is a winner at a gala event in London, at the Grosvenor Hotel on Sunday 28 April. The 2019 PFA Awards will take place just a few hours after the Reds face Chelsea in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

WHO ELSE HAS BEEN NOMINATED?

Rashford is included in a six-man shortlist alongside Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva of Manchester City, West Ham United's Declan Rice, Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks.

'We need to fight tooth and nail at Everton'

Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand feels the Reds will have to battle for every ball if three points are to be gained at Goodison Park this weekend.

United visit Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, looking to extend a winning run against the Toffees to four consecutive meetings.

However, our Merseyside hosts are in good form and have kept a clean sheet in their last three home games - against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea - and have picked up seven points from the nine on offer in those encounters.

Crerand was involved in many tussles with the Toffees during his years as a player and has covered countless games there as a pundit, so he knows how difficult it will be to win this Sunday.

“It’s always tough when you play Everton,” he told us. “You won’t get it easy playing them, you can bet your life on that.

“We need to fight tooth and nail for everything we can get. The rivalry between United and Everton isn't as intense as it is between Liverpool and United, but Everton will still be a difficult game.”

Paddy also knows that the home fans at Goodison Park can whip up a daunting environment for the opposition.

“It’s an old stadium that’s got a great atmosphere and it’s absolutely electric in there,” he said. “They’ve got a fantastic support. A win would be a big scalp for United because it’s a really tough ground.”

Sunday’s game has added meaning for the Reds, as it might prove crucial in our hunt to secure a top-four finish. We're currently sixth in the table, but could be third by the end of the weekend should results go our way.

“We have to finish in the top four now,” said Paddy, acknowledging United's Champions League exit in midweek. “It makes every game between now and the end of the season a massive match.”

Our former European Cup-winning midfielder knows Everton have plenty of attacking threats to worry United, but thinks Marco Silva's side could also prove difficult to break down on Sunday due to their talented defensive players.

“Seamus Coleman is a terrific player and has been for many years,” he said.

“They’ve got lots of good players, but he’s their star man. He plays like a right midfielder most of time and is a terrific defender as well.

“The goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, is also excellent. You have to be if you’re England’s no.1.

“It won’t be easy at Goodison Park, I know that. It never is when United play there. I know we’ve had great results there down through the years, but we’ve had to play well and fight for them.”

Team news ahead of Everton v United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said that several of the injured players in his Manchester United squad are close to returning to full fitness, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Everton.

United travel to Merseyside knowing that three points could prove crucial for our top-four hopes, and Ole has revealed he could welcome two key men back into the fold at Goodison Park, in Alexis Sanchez and Nemanja Matic.

Alexis has not played a Premier League game since suffering a knee injury in our 3-2 victory against Southampton at the beginning of March, but did make a brief cameo appearance as a substitute against Barcelona on Tuesday night.

He even nearly added a late consolation for the Reds, but his header was denied by an incredible reaction stop from Barca keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

As for Matic, he has missed the last four games through a combination of injury and illness, but he could also feature against the Toffees this weekend.

“We’ll have 20 [players] training this morning [Friday], plus the keepers, which is not bad,” Ole told MUTV.

“Nemanja and Alexis had a good session yesterday [Thursday] as well, so they will probably be involved,” the boss added.

Ole also had some good news regarding the fitness of Ander Herrera and Eric Bailly, neither of whom have played for the Reds this month due to injury.

“The squad is looking good and getting better and better, I have to say,” said Ole.

“Ander is back in training – he’s been working really hard. Eric will be back in training over the weekend, Antonio we’re not sure about yet.”

While the game against Everton looks to have come too early for Herrera and Bailly, the pair could be involved during our crucial run-in, which sees the Reds face Everton, Manchester City and then Chelsea in the space of just eight days.

Luke Shaw is unavailable again on Sunday as he serves the second game in a two-match Premier League ban for picking up 10 yellow cards.

HOW ABOUT EVERTON?

The Toffees, who are unbeaten in their last three home games, are set to only be without two first-team players for Sunday's match.

Boss Marco Silva told the media in his press conference on Thursday that Yerry Mina is the only injury absentee, as the Colombian centre-back remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he sustained playing for his country last week.

Meanwhile, on-loan Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes will serve the first game of a three-match ban following his red card in Everton's 2-0 defeat at Fulham last weekend.

"To beat Everton we'll need to be on top form"

Jesse Lingard expects a tough afternoon when Manchester United travel to Merseyside to face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Both teams still have something to fight for as we enter the business end of the season with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side vying for a spot in the top four while our hosts are embroiled in a four-club fight for seventh spot along with Leicester City, Watford and Wolves.

With the Reds and the Toffees set to give their all on Easter Sunday, Jesse was under no illusions of the task in hand when he spoke to MUTV's Stewart Gardner ahead of the game.

“I think it’ll be a tough game. Both teams are fighting for something for the end of the season. It’s just as important for them as it is for us, so we’ll need to be on top form,” he said.

“With the results they’ve been having against the top-six teams, it seems like a hard place to go. But if we’re on our game, we can get the win.”

Jesse will be hoping for a repeat of our last visit to Goodison Park where his sumptuous strike on New Year's Day 2018 rounded off a 2-0 win for the Reds. The midfielder remembers the goal well and hopes to do it again at a ground he believes has one of the best atmospheres in the top flight.

“It’s up there as one of my best! I remember that goal. That was a big win, so hopefully we can do the same at the weekend.

“They are always enjoyable games against Everton. Goodison Park is an amazing place to play with the atmosphere and our fans behind us as well, so we need them backing us.”

One player that Lingard is looking forward to catching up with is Michael Keane. The 26-year-old centre-back spent 11 years at United from boy to man before making the short journey to join the Merseyside outfit in the summer of 2015.

Jesse is pleased with how he and his former team-mate have progressed, with them both now firmly involved in the England national team set-up.

“I speak to Mike quite a bit,” he said. “We did an interview together the other day. He seems settled now that he’s playing and he’s back in the England fold, so it’s going well for him.”

Lingard admits it's been a tough week for everyone following the disappointment of going out of the Champions League against Barcelona. But the Reds know the opportunity is there to get back into the competition next season and Jesse says the players are determined to grasp the opportunity.

“We know what’s on the line and what’s there to be had. Top four is massive, to obviously play in the Champions League next season. It’s a massive competition and United always deserve to be in there,” he declared.

“Defeats [like the Barca one] can tend to linger but we know we have a big week ahead so Ole has tried to take our minds off it and concentrate on Everton, [Manchester] City and Chelsea. They are the three big games that we need to win.”

”We’ve got to be at 100 per cent in every game with the mindset to win and get three points, which is the most important thing.”

Reds join anti-racism social media boycott

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling and some of his team-mates are taking part in a boycott of all social media on Friday, as part of a new Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) initiative aimed at tackling racism.

During recent months, a series of player-targeted racist incidents have blighted the sport, both in the UK and across the world, so the PFA have launched #Enough - a campaign which ‘encourages players not to use any form of social media' from 9am on 19 April to 9am the following day.

The boycott is designed to display unity among the players, and to demand more decisive and effective responses to acts of racist abuse from social media networks and football’s governing bodies.

Smalling said: “Throughout my career I have developed a thick skin against verbal abuse, justifying it as just ‘part of the game’ but the time has come for Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to consider regulating their channels, taking responsibility for protecting the mental health of users regardless of age, race, sex or income.

“I understand that I am in an extremely privileged position and I am deeply thankful for that but, at the end of the day, we are all human. As a patron of a youth education charity [Football Beyond Borders] it is my duty to use my platform as a voice for all, regardless of background. We have to take a greater stand against discrimination of all kinds.”

The PFA has urged its members to post an #Enough graphic on their social media profiles across different platforms ahead of the 24-hour boycott, which Smalling did just over half an hour before the boycott's 9am start.

Smalling was among several players to speak out, alongside Watford skipper Troy Deeney, Arsenal Women forward Danielle Carter, Leicester City captain Wes Morgan, Wycombe's Adebayo Akinfenwa and Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose.

Rose commented: “When I said that I can’t wait to see the back of football, it is because of the racism that I, and many other players, have been subjected to our entire careers. Football has a problem with racism.

“I don’t want any future players to go through what I’ve been through in my career. Collectively, we are simply not willing to stand by while too little is done by football authorities and social media companies to protect players from this disgusting abuse.”

Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard also tweeted their support for the #Enough campaign.