LONDON (AFP, REUTERS) - Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has urged his players to keep up the momentum when they host Watford in the Premier League on Saturday (Feb 26).
Fourth-place United's spot in the Champions League places is far from secure after Arsenal's last-gasp 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday.
The Gunners are in fifth position on 45 points, one behind Rangnick's men but have two matches in hand on the Red Devils.
United, who have been inconsistent for much of the season, have at least shown they have the will to fight back in their last two games. They led Leeds 2-0 last weekend, conceded two goals in quick succession, before winning 4-2.
In midweek, in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16, United came back from 1-0 down to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital.
Rangnick said yesterday he wants to see more of the same kind of mentality from his side.
"It's a very important game, but this is the case with almost every fixture. We have to keep the momentum against Watford and then be ready for the upcoming games afterwards," he added.
"We are fully aware we have to win the game tomorrow. They have three fast, physical strikers, always looking for the transitional moments, playing pretty direct, so this is their biggest threat."
United, unbeaten in seven league games, are aiming to make it three league wins in a row for the first time this year ahead of a tough fixture list next month when they play against Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool and also the second leg against Atletico.
"It (March) could be defining in the season, but for us it only makes sense to take one game after the other," Rangnick added.
"The job is to... play to the highest possible level tomorrow at home, hopefully win the game against Watford and then we have a normal week to prepare for the derby against City (on March 6)."
He will again be without Edinson Cavani and Scott McTominay today due to injury and illness respectively, while Anthony Elanga could start after impressing with the equaliser against Atletico, as Marcus Rashford struggled.
Watford, in 19th, are in relegation trouble but Roy Hodgson's men can remain positive after losing just once in their last four away games in the Premier League.
Joshua King, Joao Pedro and Juraj Kucka are doubts for the Hornets.
Off the pitch, United have withdrawn Russian airline Aeroflot's sponsorship rights after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Premier League club said on Friday.
Aeroflot was banned from flying to the United Kingdom on Thursday after President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine. The UK Civil Aviation Authority said it had suspended Aeroflot's foreign carrier permit.
"In the light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot's sponsorship rights. We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected," a club spokesperson said.
United made Aeroflot their first Russian sponsor in 2013 when it became the club's airline partner, replacing Turkish Airlines.
Russia has been condemned for its invasion of Ukraine by several sports bodies and on Friday the country lost its hosting rights for the Champions League final in May, while Formula One said the Grand Prix in Sochi could not go ahead.
