Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has highlighted the importance of garnering maximum points against arch-rivals Manchester City on Thursday night.

Jose Mourinho’s side aim to extend their unbeaten spell to 24 games in the Premier League when they face a wounded City outfit, who are on the back of a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Herrera has been instrumental in United’s success this season, and suggested that the game could go a long way in deciding where both sides finish on the table.

With both teams vying for a top-four spot, which automatically guarantees a Champions League berth next season, the Spaniard revealed that they are aiming for three points in a bid to leapfrog City into fourth spot.

‘It’s going to be the game of the season,’ he told Manchester United’s website.

‘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 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,’ he added.

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The 27-year-old also alluded to his side’s Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo next week and said that he is desperate to get his hands on the trophy that eluded him in the 2011-12 season with Athletic Bilbao, after losing 3-0 to Atletico Madrid.

‘We also have the Europa League, which is a competition that makes me very excited, because I lost the final three or four years ago and I want to take that knife from my back.

‘So hopefully we can fight for that title as well, but I know Celta Vigo are very good. They are a very difficult team,’ he concluded.

Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage via PA