Darmian determined to go all the way

Matteo Darmian knows Manchester United are capable of winning the Europa League but insists the Reds need to show why the bookmakers feel Jose Mourinho's men are favourites to lift the trophy.

Victory in Europe would clinch a place in next season's Champions League, regardless of the final position in the Premier League, and the Italian is ready to play his part in a hectic final two months of the season at home and abroad.

Anderlecht provide the opposition in the quarter-finals on Thursday and Darmian feels there is a determination to go all the way to next month's showpiece event in Stockholm.

"I think it will be a difficult game for us," said Darmian. "We want to progress into the semi-finals so we now have to recover well and start thinking about this game because I think it will be very difficult out there. We have to be concentrated and try to play with good intention and focus. We will try to win as well.

"Of course [being favourites brings added pressure], but I think we are in the Europa League and we always knew there is the possibility to win the trophy. We try. We will try. We know that we can do it but we have to demonstrate it on the pitch."

Darmian performed well at right-back at Sunderland in the 3-0 victory on Sunday and hopes he impressed manager Mourinho.

"We knew at the beginning that it was difficult," he said. "But we made it easy and I think we played very well. We scored the first goal through Zlatan and then they lost one of their players when [Sebastian] Larsson was sent off. So everything was easier but we kept continuing to play and we scored our second and third goals. It was a good victory, also because the last two results were not very good for us.

"I think I always work hard to be ready for when the manager gives me an opportunity. I think I took it but I have to be focused and I have to work for it. And that’s it. When the manager gives me another opportunity, I have to be ready to help the team. The most important thing was the victory, though.

"We hope to play as many games as possible because it means we are staying in the competition. Of course, I think it will be a busy period but we are ready. We have enough players to cope with it."

Finally, Darmian was pleased for colleague Marcus Rashford after the youngster bagged his first league goal since September with the third strike at Sunderland.

"Everyone is happy for him," said Darmian. "Of course, sometimes every shot the striker makes, he scores. Sometimes not. But Marcus was normal, working hard and he arrived with a good goal."