‘This is a final’: Erik ten Hag sends rallying message to his squad ahead of Villa Park contest

Manchester United make the trip down to the Midlands today to take on top-four challengers Aston Villa in a 4.30pm Premier League clash.

The Villans’ scintillating form under Unai Emery has made them favourites heading into the clash, which is remarkable given that Steven Gerrard had the club sat in the relegation zone before his sacking.

Just one spot separates the sides with Villa fifth and United sixth, however, there is an eight-point gap that the Reds must close if they want any form of European football at Old Trafford next term.

Erik ten Hag’s men have shown once this season that they’re able to overturn Villa when putting in a spirited shift; in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, United conceded two early goals before completing an emphatic second-half comeback to claim all three points and win 3-2.

Ten Hag speaks out ahead of kick-off

Ahead of kick-off, the manager sat down with MUTV to reiterate the importance of a victory.

“We know where we are in the league table, so we have to catch up. So that means, and we have said that to each other, every game is a final for us. So that has to be the approach for every game. This is a final,” Ten Hag said.