Manchester United midfielder Fred insists that he and his team-mates have set their sights on securing a place in the Champions League for next season, stressing the importance of the club being in the competition.
With eight games left to play, United are currently seventh in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, as well as fifth-placed Arsenal. The Gunners have a game in hand on both United and Spurs, plus two on West Ham United, making them the favourites to secure the final Champions League spot.
United have stuttered and stumbled in recent weeks, winning just one of their last four Premier League matches. However, they remain in the shake-up to secure a place in Europe's premier club competition for next term.
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With that in mind, Fred, who scored United's equaliser in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leicester City, has highlighted the importance of the club securing a top-four finish this term. He has laid down the gauntlet, insisting the Reds must put a strong run of form together between now and the end of the campaign.
Fred told United's club website : "There aren't many games left and it is all very close. We're close to the Champions League place.
"A positive result against Everton at the weekend will be a step towards this. We have to visualise winning, we have to start our final games well.
"It will be good to go into this run of fixtures with a positive result. As I said before, we have to do our best, as we're a great team with great players and have to be in the Champions League next season.
"That's what we want, we'll do everything in this next game towards this. We want to go on a great run and qualify for the Champions League next season."
Facing Everton at Goodison Park this lunchtime, United, despite their recent wobbles, are the overwhelming favourites to secure maximum points, with the Toffees hovering just above the relegation zone after a torrid run of form. However, Fred is refusing to underestimate Frank Lampard's side.
"It's difficult, as I said," added the midfielder. "They are fighting to stay in the top division for next season.
"Premier League games are difficult, even against the teams at the bottom, we dropped points to Watford, and they are difficult teams to play against. We need to be focused and know how important the game is.
"Despite their poor run, they'll be a difficult opponent with their fans behind them. We need to know how to manage the game, our heads must be right and we need to concentrate to come away with the win."
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