Ten Hag: I know we will fight against Arsenal

The manager was left frustrated after Monday night’s defeat at Selhurst Park but believes his squad has embodied a fighting spirit throughout a campaign when they have had to deal with the challenges that injuries have presented.

"If I see the problems we have faced, all the injuries in almost every game, they have fought," he told reporters in the second part of his press conference ahead of the Gunners’ visit.

"There was great team spirit. Not on Monday. That's why I was so disappointed. Monday I was really disappointed but also the players were disappointed with themselves. It was collectively a failure. But in all the other games we have fought with each other. A good team spirit, so I can't have any doubts about this."

He added: "I have seen it lately so just to remember - Brentford, not played well but they fought and they stayed in the game. Chelsea was a great game. We played good and they fought. Then Liverpool, again we had to adapt the back line because Rapha [Varane] dropped out, Jonny [Evans] dropped out, and they fought.

"They got, against Liverpool, a very good result. Lately, they always fought. Coventry, until the 70 minutes, we have discussed this. Sheffield United, we were resilient and fought back after two times losing. Burnley, the third game in six days and if you see what they put out, it was a lot. How deep they went in their physical outputs was incredible. Always they fought."

With the FA Cup final against Manchester City just a couple of weeks away, the Reds still have an opportunity to end the season with silverware and today’s test in M16 against Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side is ideal preparation for the derby showdown at Wembley.

Ten Hag praised the fans who travelled to London on Bank Holiday Monday and backed the team until the end against Palace, despite it being a tough night for United, and knows their support can be relied upon again at Old Trafford against the Gunners.

"They always support us," said the boss. "I have already expressed this now several times in this press conference, we are in there together. We are unified. Definitely we need it because we are in a difficult situation.

"We will put a team out with a good plan and I know the team will fight. I hope the fans will back us again."

You can follow coverage of Sunday's match - including listening to radio commentary during the game - in the United App and on ManUtd.com, with kick-off at 16.30 BST.