MATIC INSISTS REDS WILL STRIVE FOR TOP-FOUR SPOT
Nemanja Matic has admitted that the players want to make the Manchester United fans happy by securing a place in the top four of the Premier League, following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's seventh win out of seven since taking caretaker charge.
Paul Pogba's first-half penalty and Marcus Rashford's sublime finish were ultimately the difference at Old Trafford, despite Pascal Gross's strike as Solskjaer surpassed Sir Matt Busby's record of six straight wins after becoming Reds boss, following the win over Brighton.
And Matic, who again impressed in midfield, believes there are no easy games in the Premier League and insists the Reds will give our upmost to secure a top-four spot.
“The last 10-15 minutes were hard, but I think that we played good football today, we created a lot of chances,” he told MUTV after the win. “I think that the manager is happy with the first 75 minutes, but the last 10-15 minutes we dropped a little bit. They tried to use set-pieces to play long balls, they put some big guys up front and it was hard for us, but we managed to control [it], in the end, to take three points which is very important for us.
”In the Premier League, it's always hard,“ he continued. ”You cannot be sure you are always in control especially against this team, they are very strong at set-pieces, they have two big guys on that and they try to use them.
“We knew it, we saw some of their games which were enough to show they can hurt us but as I said, we managed to control it and to win and I'm happy for our team and our supporters. We will try to give our best to reach the top four until the end of the season.”
Matic believes the Reds have enough quality to challenge for a Champions League spot come the end of the season and re-iterated that the players are keen to repay the fans for their excellent backing.
“As I said, we will give our best,” he stressed. “The teams in front of us have quality and they will also try to play in the Champions League next season but I'm sure that we have enough qualities to compete with them.
”We will give our best and we will try to make our supporters happy.“
Arsenal's 2-0 win over Chelsea means the Gunners are ahead of United on goal difference, with both of Friday's Emirates FA Cup opponents only three points adrift of the fourth-placed Blues in the Premier League.
Rashford has scored in each of his last four Premier League games and his strike against Brighton was arguably the pick of the bunch. Matic believes, Marcus is one of the best players in the Premier League whilst admitting everyone is happy for Ole after the upturn in form.
“Marcus is very important for the team,” added the Serbian. “When he's in good form, he's one of the best players in the league and he scored a great goal. I think it's good for his confidence and I hope he continues like this.
”I think this is the best what can happen to Ole and to us. Seven games, seven wins. I think everyone is happy.“
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