Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that his side must be aware of the damage that a "mad" Everton could cause in Sunday's Premier League clash at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have been hit with a 10-point deduction in England's top flight, having been found guilty of breaking the Premier League's rules when it comes to profit and sustainability.
Everton have dropped into 19th position in the table ahead of the visit of Man United, and Ten Hag has said that the Merseyside outfit could use the sanction, which is the biggest in the competition's history, as "fuel".
"It's always about us. I can see the opposition, I can see they are mad. Finally, it's about us," the Man United head coach told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"If they are mad, that's their fuel, we have to match those standards. If we match the standards we have a very good chance to win the game.
© Reuters
"I don't know the details about [the points deduction], I don't have an opinion. I can imagine Everton fans are very mad. We can do nothing about it. We have to match their standards."
Man United face three key games in six days, travelling to Turkey for a must-win Champions League contest next week before returning to England to tackle Newcastle United in the Premier League on December 2.
"We go in a week, very condensed, we play three games in six days. As a squad, we have to deal with that," the Dutchman added.
"Of course, we have a plan, a strategy for it, we make the players aware and they have to take responsibility for it but especially it's about cooperation.
© Reuters
"We go into a massive month, we are looking really forward and confident, in the Premier League, everyone is winning from everyone, there are no easy games for no one, every team will drop points, but the last five games, We won four and that gives us confidence in the next games.
"Definitely, we have seen a turning point, we have seen how we deal with certain situations that we build on a certain foundation and now we have to build on."
Ten Hag will not be on the touchline at Goodison Park this weekend due to a one-game suspension, and the Dutchman has said that he 'accepts the decision'.
"Let's say this, it is a ban. You are not always agreeing with the referee, many decisions were against us. Still I have to accept it," he added when asked about the touchline ban.
Man United have beaten Fulham and Luton Town in their last two Premier League games, with their recent run of strong form in England's top flight moving them up into sixth position in the table.
No Data Analysis info
