Juan Mata has insisted that each and every Manchester United player is feeling "absolutely focused" heading into a huge week in the club's season.
The Red Devils play host to Liverpool on Thursday night in the return leg of their Europa League showdown, before making a short trip to face rivals Manchester City three days later.
United could conceivably end the week out of Europe and essentially without any realistic hope of earning a top-four spot in the Premier League, but Mata is confident that success can still be achieved with the help of supporters.
"Playing against Liverpool and Manchester City is always special for us and for our fans," he told United's official website. "On top of that, we will do it in just four days according to the calendar. There's a very important week ahead: we have the chance to overcome the score of the Europa League first leg and to shorten the gap with one of our rivals in the Premier League.
"As from today, we are absolutely focused on having two successful games, although the task is not easy and we are aware of that. We must bring back the spirit of the big games and show that we still have the opportunity to lift trophies.
"Back to the Europa League, we need to have a good start on Thursday, with intensity. It's like a final for us. We need a comeback and I'm sure that the atmosphere in Old Trafford will take us closer to that goal. I'm sure it's possible."
United, who trail Liverpool 2-0 from last week's first leg at Anfield, head into the return tie on the back of a battling 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United in the FA Cup.
Daniel Lewis
