Ralf Rangnick has admitted Manchester United's next two games could ultimately make or break their season.
United face Tottenham on Saturday in a huge match in the context of the race for fourth spot, then host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the decisive leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Defeat in both of those games would effectively end United's season, leaving Spurs a point ahead with two games in hand and the Red Devils out of the Champions League.
Rangnick acknowledged the significance of both encounters and said his players, from whom a big response is required after their 4-1 derby mauling at Manchester City, know what is at stake.
Cristiano Ronaldo is available again after missing the derby with a hip problem, as is Edinson Cavani, who also sat out the humiliating defeat.
Interim boss Rangnick conceded United's season would be all but over if they lose the next two games, with the Red Devils not in action again for 18 days.
But Rangnick said: “We don't think like that, because we think that if we win both games, it could be a massive turnaround again.
“Then we would have all the chances in the Champions League and in the Premier League, so right now, let's play the game tomorrow, and fully focus on the game tomorrow.
“We are fully aware of that [a potential defining period] but in the last couple of weeks we've had a few of those kinds of games. Yes, we are fully aware of the importance of those two games.”
The collective character of United's squad had been called into question in recent weeks, with talk of dressing-room divisions, culminating in last weekend's meek derby capitulation.
But Rangnick said he believes his players have the stomach for the fight ahead and expects them to step up and show their quality in the weeks ahead, as the pressure builds.
“I think we showed that in the past in quite a few games that they are [up for the fight] but, as I said after the game, we didn't play that badly in the first half at City,” said Rangnick.
“We gave away two easy goals. City didn't have to do that much in order to score in the end.
"But, against one of the best teams in the world in possession of the ball, all of a sudden you are 3-1 down and it's difficult.
“In the end we had to admit, yes, they were better in the second-half, the far better team than us on that day, but that's the past now.
“We have to look ahead and look forward. We're fully aware that on a good day we're able to beat Tottenham and this is what we have to do.”
Ronaldo is back, with Rangnick unconcerned at the forward's trip to Portugal while United were losing to City, despite being unaware of his star player's impromptu trip abroad.
“It happened last week,” said Rangnick. “I didn't know anything about that trip.
"But it doesn't make sense now to waste energy and deal with it, because the games we have to play now are too important.
“I decided to put my focus on the upcoming games and not waste any energy with things that happened in the last six or seven days.”
