City versus United is key to season finale claims Herrera

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has described Thursday night’s crucial derby against Manchester City as the game of the season for his side.

With the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League hotting up, United comfortably won 2-0 at Burnley last Sunday to move themselves to within one point of fourth-placed City.

Finishing in the top four is one of two roads into Europe’s elite competition for Jose Mourinho’s side, as they could still qualify through winning the Europa League.

Their Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo is next week.

For City though it is the only thing left to play for, as they look to recover from their extra-time defeat against Arsenal in the semi-finals of the FA Cup that meant Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge will finish trophyless.

Herrera said: “It’s going to be the game of the season.

(Photo by Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“We are one point behind them and if we win, we have the chance to finish in the top four, but if they win, it will be very difficult for us.

“I don’t know [about] the ‘winner takes all’ expression, but it’s going to be a massive game. If one of us wins it, we are not going to lose a lot of games or make mistakes after that. It will be key.

“We are in a very good moment, on a very good run and we respect them, but we are doing a lot of good things and we have to show it on Thursday.”