Ander Herrera insists crunch Manchester derby will be the defining match of the season for both Manchester United and Manchester City
ANDER HERRERA believes Thursday’s Manchester derby will be “make or break” for both teams’ chance of finishing in the top four.
But the Spanish midfielder insists the Red Devils have the momentum to overcome their city rivals.
Ander Herrera insists Thursday’s crunch clash is the defining game of the seasonNews Group Newspapers Ltd
He said: “We have to play Manchester City and that is going to be the game of the season.
“Our win at Burnley on Sunday means we are unbeaten in 23 games in the Premier League and only one point behind City. We know if we win we have a great chance to finish in the top four.
“If they win it is going to be very difficult, that is why it is the game of the season.
“You can probably say it is make or break.
“Both teams are strong, so if one of us wins the game we won’t lose a lot of other games after that.
“It is us or them. The result is going to be huge in deciding where we both finish in the table.
“I have not heard about the winner-takes-all expression, but I know it is a massive game.
Ander Herrera was brilliant against Burnley and will need a similar performance against CityReuters
“We are in a very good moment, on a very good run and we respect them but we are doing a lot of good things and we have to show it on Thursday.”
Herrera earned praise for the way he kept Eden Hazard quiet when United beat Chelsea 2-0 nine days ago, and he will be a key figure again at the Etihad.
He said: “Hazard has been the best player of the season so far. It was not an easy job for me but I think I did it right. Also the team was very compact so that made it easier for me.
“I just want to think about winning on Thursday, then we have the Europa League to look forward to.”
Jose Mourinho will be desperate to get revenge on old foe Pep GuardiolaGetty ImagesManchester United will be missing a number of players for the Manchester derby
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Winning Europe’s second tier competition is another way they can qualify for the Champions League.
The 27-year-old also has a debt to settle.
He was in the Athletic Bilbao side beaten 3-0 by Atletico Madrid in the 2012 final and says it still hurts.
He said: “The Europa League makes me very excited because I lost the final four years ago — and I want to take that knife from my back!
“So hopefully we can fight for that title as well.
“But our semi-final opponents Celta Vigo are very good, so we will need to be at our best.”
Paul Pogba suffered a suspected hamstring injury on Sunday but will be assessed this morning.
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