Christian Eriksen is preparing for a crucial Europa League clash between Manchester United and Real Sociedad as Ruben Amorim's side look to continue their season.
It is the Red Devils' worst season in years, with injuries having seen them crash out of both domestic cup competitions and sitting 14th in the Premier League.
A tired United side held on to an encouraging 1-1 draw with title challengers Arsenal on Sunday but they must translate that success into their Europa League last-16 second leg against La Real Madrid at Old Trafford on Thursday.
The tournament represents the last hope for a trophy and, most importantly, a chance of European qualification for a team that risks struggling to recover this summer if they fail to progress.
“It's very important,” said veteran midfielder Eriksen of the 1-1 scoreline. “We understand the pressure, we understand the situation we are in in the league.
“To qualify for Europe next season we need to win a lot of games in the league or get through in the Europa League, so we know this game is hugely important, but it also has to do with our time at the club.
“We are playing for trophies and so we need to perform well to stay in the fight.”
When asked if it was difficult to imagine United outside Europe, Eriksen replied: “They belong there but we don't belong at the bottom of the Premier League either, so it's somewhere in between.”
“We're trying to do everything we can to move up (the league). We're not where we want to be.
“It might make things a little easier with the Champions League and the atmosphere in Europe, but in the Premier League we still need to get a lot of points to improve our position.”
Eriksen said it was “no fun” to follow the Premier League table as the team had lost more games than they had won and had scored just 34 goals.
Amorim were unhappy with their lack of sharpness and Sunday was another example of the team's problems, with another goalless game for substitute Rasmus Hjøjlund.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
