Erik ten Hag sends Manchester United message ahead of Everton fixture

Manager Erik ten Hag insists togetherness is key to Manchester United turning their indifferent home form around, calling on the fans to play their part.

United host Everton at Old Trafford this lunchtime, determined to get back on track after successive Premier League defeats. United followed up their 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford a fortnight ago with a 3-1 reverse to Manchester City in the derby last Sunday.

It means the Reds head into the tussle with the Toffees 11 points short of the Champions League places. Fourth-placed Aston Villa take on fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow, meaning United need to take full advantage of the possibility of the pair of them dropping points.

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Despite heading into the contest as favourites, such is the difference in league positions of the two clubs, United cannot underestimate Sean Dyche's team. The Reds have lost five times at home in the league this season, in comparison to the one reverse they had inflicted on them in the league last term.

With time running out on United's top four hopes, Ten Hag is aware of the importance of turning Old Trafford back into a fortress.

"I think that all has to do with the bigger picture of the season," Ten Hag told United's club website. "But I'm sure there are coming up many big games for this season, so Old Trafford has to be ready.

"We have to be ready, and we have to do that, and that is the most important thing: togetherness. There is a strong, big crowd, a big voice, that makes an impact on the opponent, that's going to lead to intimidation of that opponent, to get the right results."

It's the Manchester derby once again, and United could really