Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says Thursday’s Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium is “make or break” in his side’s top four bid.

United are fifth in the table, one point and one place behind neighbours Manchester City ahead of their midweek showdown.

The Old Trafford outfit could qualify for the Champions League via the Europa League if they manage to win the competition, with United 1.91 to win the Europa League outright ahead of a semi-final against Celta Vigo, but Herrera wants a top-four finish and isn’t prepared to leave anything to chance.

“It is going to be the game of the season,” said Herrera.

“We are one point behind them. “If we win we have the chance to finish in the top four, if they win it is going to be very difficult. It is the game of the season.

“Make or break? Probably. Both teams are in a good moment so if one of us wins the game we are not going to lose a lot of games, or make mistakes after that. Us or them. It is going to be key.

“I don’t know the ‘winner takes all’ expression but it is going to be a massive game.

“We are in a very good moment, 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.”

United are 4.20 to secure all three points on Thursday but they are missing top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic through injury, with Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata and Phil Jones also unavailable. City are 1.91 to come out on top and a draw is 3.60.