Jose Mourinho does not believe David De Gea has been distracted by renewed talk of a move to Real Madrid, with the Manchester United manager saying it would be irresponsible to be affected by transfer speculation.
Mourinho has not given up on a top-four finish and the Europa League offers another route back to European football's top table, meaning Anderlecht can expect to face a strong side in Thursday's quarterfinal first leg.
However, that line-up is set to feature back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero instead of star turn De Gea, who missed Sunday's win at Sunderland with a minor injury only to travel with the squad to Belgium.
De Gea has been crowned United's Player of the Year for the past three seasons, but was on the brink of joining Real Madrid in 2015 before the transfer collapsed acrimoniously on deadline day in Spain.
But Mourinho is not concerned that increasing talk of a summer move to Real Madrid has seen his first-choice goalkeeper lose focus.
"I am not interested in the speculation,'' the Portuguese said. "I think if the player is [affected by speculation], he shouldn't because we are playing for very important things and every match for us is crucial.
"In the Premier League, we lose a match and the top four gets almost impossible. If we lose in the Europa League, we are in trouble.
"Every match demands from every one of us total focus. I think I don't see David with any problem related to this.
"End of the season is a time where players can be thinking about what is going to happen with their careers. But that is the end of the season.''