Erik ten Hag has told his Manchester United players they cannot afford to let their performance levels drop when they face struggling Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United snapped a three-game winless streak in the Premier League, including a 7-0 hammering at fierce rivals Liverpool, with a 1-0 victory over Brentford in midweek.
That moved the Red Devils into fourth place, three points clear of Tottenham with a game in hand in the battle for Champions League football next season.
But Ten Hag warned there is still plenty of work to do in United s remaining 10 games, starting with this weekend s visit of an Everton side fighting for survival.
You have to do it every game and that means preparation, but it has to be the standard, Ten Hag said of his side s mentality. You re playing for Man United, so there s the demand.
No ifs or buts. A player must deliver when you play for Manchester United. You must be accountable. It s about demands, so we must match standards always.
For a player playing at the top, competing for trophies, competing for the Premier League, you have to do it always, consistently. It s our job to bring that mentality in.
Workout at Carrington at Old Trafford ||
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Everton followed up a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea prior to the international break with a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham, but they are only outside the relegation on goal difference.
The Toffees are unbeaten in four league games – their best run since a run of six that ended on October 1 – and boss Sean Dyche wants them to continue with the same mindset.
It is about the mentality on a daily basis and taking that into games, he said. We work at a certain level in training; we want that to go into every game we play.
It s a different mindset for me and the work we do and the work to progress where we want to be. I think that work is in progress.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United Christian Eriksen
Ten Hag revealed on the eve of the game that Eriksen will be part of United s squad for the first time since injuring his ankle at the end of January, having made a swifter-than-expected return.
The Denmark international was a key player for United prior to his lay-off, assisting seven goals and scoring one of his own in 19 Premier League appearances.
Everton Alex Iwobi
Iwobi has gone six league games without a goal involvement for Everton, but there is no denying his influence in the side.
Among Everton players in the league this season, the Nigeria international ranks top for possession won in the final third (26), chances created (47) and successful take-ons (41).
MATCH PREDICTION UNITED WIN
Everton have undoubtedly improved under Dyche, having collected 12 points from their nine Premier League matches since he took over, which is seven more than they managed in their final 12 under Frank Lampard.
United have won all three matches in the early Saturday kick-off slot this season, including victory over Manchester City in January, and they are unbeaten in 24 games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
The Red Devils have also lost just one of their past 29 Premier League home games against Everton, with that coming in December 2013, though each of the past three fixtures between the sides in Manchester have finished all square.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
United 52.7 per cent
Everton 20.6 per cent
Draw 26.7 per cent
