Man Utd defender Tyrell Malacia takes the lead
Dutch international Tyrell Malacia insists it is unlikely Man Utd's focus will waver as the FA Cup final against rivals Man City draws closer.
Erik ten Hag has overseen a fantastic turnaround at Old Trafford since taking over from Ralf Rangnick last summer.
The Red Devils are battling for a place in the top four, having won the Carabao Cup and on June 3 they will face three-times Man City in the FA Cup final.
An all-Manchester FA Cup final could be on the horizon, but Malacia says that won't distract the team from their latest Premier League effort.
"No, I think we have a lot of experienced players who have been in situations like that," the full-back said ahead of Thursday's trip to Brighton. "We keep ourselves as a team and focus on qualifying for the Champions League.
“I think Brighton are a good team, very good football, quality players, so it will be a difficult game.
"Now we have to focus on ourselves, watching game after game and we have to win."
Brighton will seek revenge just 11 days after their FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout loss to United, who drew 2-2 with Tottenham before beating Aston Villa 1-0 on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes' goal at Old Trafford ended Villa's 10-match unbeaten run and cemented the Reds' place in the Champions League with six games remaining.
"I think between now and the last game of the season these are the important points so we have to win every game now," Malacia said. "It wasn't good that we lost points (at Tottenham), but (against Villa) we played well and (won) important points."
As well as picking up three points, United have kept their 15th clean sheet in the Premier League - no small feat given Villa's form and the absence of number one centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
Malacia, who played at left-back when Luke Shaw impressed back in centre, said: “We have a lot of quality in the team, so if someone gives up, we know that. we have a quality person.
"Yes (great players are absent), but we are still Man United, so we have a lot of quality players and that is very important."
About Shaw, the Dutch player said:
“We help each other before the game, before training. We're still talking, so that's fine.
"From the beginning, when I came here, he was always talking to me and talking to me."
Sunday was Malacia's 19th Premier League game for United and he has played 36 games in all competitions since arriving last July. The 23-year-old became the first signing of the Ten Hag era after leaving Feyenoord for €15m (£12.95m), plus €2m (£1.7m) in bonuses.
"I think I can play 20 games this season and I've played more than 20," Malacia said.
“I am very happy to be here, I am learning a lot. My first year in the Premier League, I played a lot of games. I have learned a lot of things, so happy to be here.
When asked if he feels more pressured playing for United, he replied:
"All is good. I don't feel any pressure. For me, it's fine.
"I'm happy to go out and play. It's what I've wanted to do and what I've dreamed of all my life, so why should I be under pressure?"
Malacia's joy at playing for United comes from gratitude for Ten Hag, whose meticulous nature and team-based approach have supported.
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