Ashley Young has claimed Manchester United are not targeting runners-up spot in the Premier League after telling ESPN FC that Jose Mourinho's team will pursue leaders Manchester City until it becomes impossible to catch them.
City, who face Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, moved 16 points clear of United by defeating Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday and five wins from their last 10 games will guarantee the title for Pep Guardiola's men, regardless of what United are able to do during the run-in.
But, ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night, Young insists that it is still too early to give up on the title.
"Until the points tally (confirms it) is over, we won't say that we are going to give up," he told ESPN FC. "It's about picking up points home and away, picking up wins. A lot will be said about the way you pick up points, but when you come to the end of the season, that is the main thing -- picking up points -- and that's exactly what we will be looking do.
"We have to make sure that we keep winning," Young continued. "We say before every game that it is another important game, but every game is important now leading up to this final run towards the end of the season."
With United's Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Sevilla on the horizon, as well as an FA Cup quarterfinal at home vs. Brighton, Mourinho's squad is competing on three fronts. But the game at Selhurst Park, followed by Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford next Saturday, means the league is their focus for now.
"We are in a lot of competitions; there are points to play for and cups to play for," said Young, who was speaking at Old Trafford's Red Cafe during an event for club coffee partner Melitta. "That's what every footballer wants to do; you want to be in the big competitions to go and have a chance to win them. And when we come to the game on Monday, hopefully we will be saying we got the three points."
United's 2-1 win at home to Chelsea last Sunday has given them a six-point cushion over the reigning champions, who sit in fifth position, in the battle to secure Champions League football next season. And Young admits Jose Mourinho's side must take the confidence generated from that victory into the final 10 games of the season.
"It is going to be tough down there (against Palace), but as long as play as well as we have shown and add to what we did last Sunday, I am sure we can pick up the three points," he said. "These games are where people will say we are expected to win, especially after the way we beat Chelsea last weekend."
United will arrive at Selhurst Park having lost their two most recent away leagues games, at Tottenham and Newcastle and the 32-year-old is taking nothing for granted.
"But it's never easy when you go to Palace," said Young. "We have always had tough games down there, but we just have to concentrate on ourselves. We know that they are in a tough run of games, but on the day, anyone can beat anyone.