in

Pedro: Manchester United v Chelsea will be ‘like a final’

Chelsea attacker Pedro has admitted that Sunday’s high profile game against Manchester United will be like a final.

The two Premier League giants go into this weekend’s game with ambitions of securing a place within the top four, with the two rivals currently separated by just three points, although Chelsea do have a significantly better goal difference.

Neither side are in the most scintillating of form going into the game, with the Blues being held to a 2-2 draw in the feisty encounter with Burnley on Monday, while Manchester United have lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions.

Defeat against Chelsea would finally extinguish the Red Devils lingering Champions League ambitions, although former Barcelona winger Pedro has admitted Sunday’s Old Trafford encounter won’t be an easy one.

“It is like a final for us,” Pedro told Sky Sports. “It is so important to reach the top four. We need to win in Manchester but we know it is difficult to play there.

“They have very good players and are a very good team. Maybe they are not in a very good moment, or in very good form, but we need to fight together to win this game.

“It was a very good opportunity for us to get these three points at home but we could only draw against Burnley.”

One man who won’t be involved is highly rated teenager, Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury which he picked up during the Burnley game, prematurely ending his season.

“It is a pity for us,” Pedro added.

”He is a very good young player for us and is important for us. I can only hope that he gets well as soon as possible. Now we have to continue without him until the end in these five games.

“I feel good. I might not start on Sunday but the result is the most important thing. I am so focused on this game. I want to win – it is the only possible result for us.”

Read: Sarri says Chelsea ‘must not lose’ against Man Utd

See also: Roy Keane’s finest punditry moments