Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United cannot afford to drop “expensive” points as the pressure builds in the race for a top-four finish.
United, currently fourth, travel to fellow top-four rivals Tottenham, six points behind in sixth place, then host fifth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday at Old Trafford
Against that backdrop and with a top-four finish United's only route back to the Champions League after their Europa League exit, Ten Hag admitted his side cannot afford any slip-ups.
“The points are more expensive in this period of the season, so make sure you're really ready,” said Ten Hag, whose side have games in hand on Spurs and Villa.
“It's a final. We're playing finals now. We've shown we know how to approach finals, but we have to do it as a team and be ready as an individual.
“We think only about the game and that's what I demand from my players. I don’t look that far ahead, it's about going from game to game and we have to win every game. Tottenham is a great opportunity, so make sure we're ready for that game, get a result and get a win.”
United playmaker Bruno Fernandes will be given every chance to prove his fitness for tonight's game, after suffering an injury at the weekend.
Fernandes suffered an ankle injury in United's FA Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Brighton and was pictured wearing a protective plastic boot on his right foot.
But Fernandes was walking freely at United's training complex yesterday, with a decision to be taken over whether he can be part of the travelling squad.
"We have to see how Bruno is,” said Ten Hag. “We don't know yet, he's a question mark. I think, for the rest, we're quite okay.
"It's more often with players that we protect them - prevention. But it has to settle down.
“He played the full game and it happened in the first-half. Thursday is quick, but we have to see what's possible."
Ten Hag admitted United must be wary of a Spurs backlash, following their 6-1 defeat at Newcastle which saw them sack caretaker boss Cristian Stellini.
“They had a really bad defeat and, of course, they're mad and that can be fuel for bouncing back,” said Ten Hag.
“But it's about us. An opponent can never be more hungry than we are. That's how we have to prepare.
“We have to be ready to go on the front foot, be dominant and dictate the game."
