Manchester United's captain, Gary Neville, has expressed his concerns about their sudden loss of form at the top of the Premier League and warned his team-mates they quickly need to "get back on track" if they are to withstand the challenge of Chelsea and, increasingly, the in-form Liverpool.
United's lead has been cut from seven points to one after successive defeats against Liverpool and Fulham, and Neville believes the faltering English, European and world champions cannot afford another slip-up when they take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"We need to bounce back and recover but we said that after the Liverpool game and we didn't do that at Fulham," Neville said. "Now there are no more chances for us. We need to make sure we start winning games and get back on a winning run.
"We've got a vital game coming up against Aston Villa on Sunday and I don't think anyone will underestimate the importance of that match. We need to get back to winning ways after losing two league games, which is not something we are used to. Now we have had a break, we need to focus and get ourselves back on track."
The 34-year-old Neville has missed almost two months with a groin injury but played for an hour for the reserves in a 3–3 draw at Newcastle on Monday. The versatile John O'Shea has been deputising for him because two of United's other right-backs, Rafael da Silva and Wes Brown, are also injured, but Neville expects to play some part on Sunday or, failing that, in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Porto at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
"I have got the opportunity to be fit now and hopefully be available for Sunday, Tuesday and the games coming up in the next couple of months which are vital for us. It starts on Sunday. It will be a hugely important game and we will need the crowd behind us. We certainly know what we need to do."
Of his own fitness, he added: "I feel OK. It was the first time I had played in six or seven weeks so I felt a little bit rusty but I am hoping to get back into the squad and get back with the lads as soon as possible for what is hopefully going to be a great two months.
"I need to be fit for the last months of the season. There is no doubt about that. We need every player fit, including Wes and Rafael but obviously I've got to concentrate on my own fitness and get myself ready.
"I have been training now for the last couple of weeks and I was in the squad at Fulham. I haven't had the chance to play for the first team yet so playing at Newcastle was important for me to get some minutes under my belt before a first-team game.
"I think I have to be ready for both games because they are both crucial games and we don't know what's going to happen with the lads who are away on international duty. Hopefully they will all come back fit and well, but the manager will definitely need all his players to play on Sunday and Tuesday and I hope to play in one of those games if not both of them."
