Antonio Valencia striving for five in a row

Antonio Valencia agrees that keeping a fifth successive clean sheet could be the key to progressing past Saint-Etienne in the Europa League.

Manchester United entertain the French side on Thursday at Old Trafford in the first leg of the Round of 32 and have been in resolute mood in defence of late. Indeed, the Reds have been virtually impregnable in 2017 as, aside from the EFL Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Hull City, the only goal scored by an opponent was James Milner's penalty in the draw with Liverpool.

Juan Mata also unluckily put through his own net at Stoke City but the Reds have been defending superbly as a team and, with away goals crucial in European competition, another shut-out would help Jose Mourinho's men take a major step towards winning the two-legged tie.

"It’s important to keep a clean sheet and to defend well," Valencia told MUTV. "After that, we know we have some quality players of a very high standard who are capable of scoring at the other end. But yes, we have to be very watchful at the back."

United have not been in European action since 8 December, when a 2-0 triumph at Zorya Luhansk ensured a place in the knockout stages. However, there should be no issue getting back in tune to the different style of football this week.

"That's not really a problem for us at all," added Valencia. "We’re already thinking about Thursday night’s game and we’re very focused and preparing well. We want to win the game because we want to try and go all the way to the final.    

"Let’s hope we are blessed with a good performance in these games and we can work hard and win comfortably and send the fans home happy. I think it might be a different story in the away leg, though, but here’s hoping we can progress to the next round.

"It’s very important for us to go there with a good lead. Everything depends on what happens on Thursday. Let’s hope we can win and get the job done; that’s what we have to do."