Sociedad tie 'massive' for United - Eriksen

Christian Eriksen admits it is "not fun" to look at the Premier League table and acknowledged Thursday's Europa League clash with Real Sociedad is "massive" for Manchester United.

United produced one of their most effective performances of the season in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal, even though head coach Ruben Amorim is uncomfortable with the counter-attacking approach.

However, it still left them 14th in the table. With 10 games of the campaign remaining, United are eight points off Fulham, who are 10th.

Any chance of qualifying for European football next season through their league position has virtually disappeared, which means United have to win the Europa League.

As they did against Arsenal, Amorim's side drew their last-16 first-leg encounter with Real Sociedad after taking the lead. Now they have to beat the Spanish side at Old Trafford on Thursday to reach the last night.

"It's massive," said Eriksen. "We know the pressure because we know the situation we are in.

"To get into Europe next season we have to win a lot of games in the league or go through the Europa League."

Only once since English clubs were allowed back into Europe in 1990 following their ban have United failed to qualify, in 2014 under David Moyes.

Unless their present situation improves they are heading for their worst league finish since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.

"It's not fun," said Eriksen, when asked what it is like looking at the table.

"We want to be higher. We are at (Manchester) United so we have to be higher. Hopefully at the end of the season we end up higher and we can forget about this but at the moment we have to fight for it."