'Every home game is like a final'

Jack Ottman 6 years ago 2k
Herrera thinks Manchester City can still be caught at the top of the league. AFP

If they want to win the Premier League this season, Manchester United have to be on top form at Old Trafford, according to Ander Herrera.

Before United welcome Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, they trail league leaders Manchester City by eight points, and have the joint-best home record in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have won all six of their home games so far this season, scoring 19 goals and conceding just once.

Jose Mourinho's side will take on the Seagulls full of confidence after last weekend's 4-1 home win over Newcastle, as they look to close in on their city rivals, who face a trip to Huddersfield on Sunday.

Herrera told 'Sky Sports': "At home, we have to win. At Old Trafford we cannot give anything away. If we want to fight for every title, every game at Old Trafford has to be a final for us. We have to win every game at home.

"We have a good example the last weekend and now Brighton at home, we must go with everything. I sign now to win every game 1-0 at home!

"Of course we try and play as good as possible, but the most important thing is to win games."

United will be boosted once again by the presence of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Marcos Rojo is also set to return for Brighton's visit, although only the French midfielder is likely to start.

"They are important players in every position of the pitch," said Herrera. "One defender, one midfielder and one striker and we are stronger with them.

"He [Ibrahimovic] feels like a kid to be back. He is 36, he still has that ambition and desire to keep winning things and I want these kind of players next to me.

"I want to play with the best players possible and Paul [Pogba] is one of the best."

Despite the eight points gap at the top of the Premier League, the Spanish midfielder believes the unpredictable nature of the English top tier means City can still be caught.

"You never want to lose, but if you have to lose one game to lose, maybe you chose that game," he said. "But it is not out philosophy, we want to win every game.

"We have to think, 'we are Man Utd and we have to fight for every title.' We are in a good position in the league, we are chasing the top of the table.

"Man City are very strong so far, but the Premier League always gives you the chance to catch them and the only way we can do that is by winning games.

"Do not think about the opponents, the rest of the games, just think about Brighton now, then Watford and then Arsenal.

"We are in the League Cup quarter-finals, we have done well so far and in the Champions League, we have 12 points in five games, which is good.

"But we have to know what club we are representing and to try and win every single game."

Mentioned in the news story

Premier League
Manchester United
Ander Herrera