United target second place

platform for a more serious challenge to City next season.

“I always remember when Sir Alex Ferguson said in 2005-06, when we won the second title with Chelsea, that United needed to improve because Chelsea had raised the bar,” said Mourinho.

“That was the ‘click’ for the improvement because in 2006-07 United won the title back. It has to be like that again. That is why every match until the end of the season is important. It is not just about the points and finishing in the top four, it is to try to finish second, try to play the best we can, improve the players individually the best we can and be the best-possible team.

“Then we must try to start next season in a good way, like we did this season, but try to be more consistent.”

United will mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster ahead of today’s home game against Huddersfield – who beat them in October – with Mourinho saying his team have made big improvements despite the “bad” midweek display against Spurs.

“I cannot say we, Tottenham or Chelsea are doing bad because the points we have are very reasonable, but City started strong and kept going,” he said. “We are doing quite well with some negative moments. Wednesday was one.” Mourinho confirmed Marouane Fellaini is facing another spell out with a knee issue.

Huddersfield boss David Wagner, left, said he cannot afford to send his team out to play on the front foot or they risk suffering a repeat of the 4-0 defeat by Spurs in September.

He said: “Against Tottenham we tried playing in their faces. The game was over after 30 minutes and we were 3-0 down. So we learned our lesson.

“You can get something against the top six. To do that, you have to make life uncomfortable.”