Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has played down the importance of Wednesday's Champions League test against Young Boys, while stating he is still hopeful of victory.
Mourinho watched on at the weekend as his United team were held at home by Crystal Palace in a turgid 0-0 stalemate.
That result leaves the Reds down in seventh place in the Premier League, 14 points shy of leaders Manchester City.
In the Champions League, meanwhile, failure to beat Young Boys could leave United facing a daunting last-day trip to Valencia to secure qualification from Group H.
But the club's boss does not believe the clash at Old Trafford will be decisive.
"Tomorrow is not vital because even if we lose we depend on nobody but ourselves," he explained to reporters on Monday.
"But I want to play from minute one like it’s the last chance we have to qualify. We have to win, that’s the way I want to play.
"What I want is a team to start strong, not waiting. You probably thought Jose told them to start slow. It is exactly the opposite.
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"I want them to start strong and go for it almost immediately."
United have struggled for form in front of their own fans this season, with arguably their best result of the season, a 2-1 win over high-flying Juventus, coming in Turin.
But Mourinho added that it would be wholly inappropriate to suggest that his charges are not enjoying games at Old Trafford.
"I refuse to say that because I don’t want to disrespect the home fans," he fired.
"I prefer always to play at home. If you feel pressure, stay at home... and I don’t mean stadium home, I mean home home!"
United currently lead Valencia by two points as they hold on to second place in Group H, with Juventus at the top of the pile with nine, two points clear of the English side.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. welcome Los Che to Italy on Wednesday, with kick-off set at the same time as United's clash with Young Boys.
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