Frank Lampard has played down Manchester United’s current issues as they prepare to head to relegation-threatened Everton this weekend.
United remain in the hunt for a top four finish as they travel to Goodison Park for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off — although their hopes lie in the balance after another disappointing draw against Leicester last weekend. Ralf Rangnick's side sit three points off the coveted final Champions League spot ahead of the weekend, although a tough run of games leaves them with plenty of work to do.
It has been a dismal season at Old Trafford, with pre-season hopes of ending the club’s trophy drought having been quickly dashed. Last weekend’s draw once again summed up the issues that have plagued United throughout the campaign, with players once again underperforming and they were lucky to come away with a point.
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That will likely give Everton some encouragement ahead of Saturday’s meeting, with the Toffees desperately looking for a way out of their relegation battle. But Lampard doesn’t expect things to be any easier for his side.
Asked whether Everton can get at United, Lampard replied: "I don't know about 'get at'. They've got fantastic individuals throughout their team. But maybe they are having difficult times for Manchester United.
“It shows that sometimes those situations are not easy to turn straight away. I'm sure they are doing that just as we are doing it at our end."
Everton’s fears of being dragged further into trouble were realised on Wednesday when they were beaten 3-2 by Burnley, leaving them just one point above the relegation zone. And Lampard knows he needs to lift his side again as the sides below them begin breathing down their necks.
On that, he added: "Yeah because it was a disappointing result, with the manner of it. But that's the nature of the position we're in. If you are in this position you are not winning every week. You have to keep a level of balance whether you win or lose. A lift, yeah, but we have to lift ourselves"
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