Good afternoon.

Welcome to Goodison for our game against Manchester United.

This type of match, against a high-class opponent, allows you to judge the strength and quality in your team.

We have had mainly good results for the past two months and the next step is to consistently take points from sides in the top positions.

The players and Duncan did a very good job to beat Chelsea and draw at Manchester United in December.

When I joined the Club, the team was in a confident way because of doing well in those matches – not only the results but how they competed and caused problems for those sides.

We carried on the momentum with more wins and I believe our football is improving.

Against Arsenal last Sunday, we played with intensity, especially after half-time, and created a lot of opportunities.

Offensively we were very good. But we made individual mistakes and, for that reason, came home with no points.

I was encouraged by the attacking aspect of our game but unhappy because of the final score.

The table is tight and every point is really important. We have not been afraid to say we want to keep climbing and achieve European football.

To think any other way would be to imagine you are going to lose some games and I cannot see any benefit from having that mindset.

We focused this week in training on eliminating the issues which cost us at Arsenal. But we reminded the players how they played without fear in a difficult away ground and, with a little more care, would have taken something from the match.

Also, our form has been strong – that was our first loss in six league matches – so it was a time to reflect, then look forwards, not to be angry.

It was a pleasure to send Andre Gomes on to the field in the second half last week. We all have fantastic admiration for the way Andre coped with his setback and worked hard to be fit much more quickly than anybody expected.

You could see straightaway the player’s ability and experience and it is a big boost to have him available again.

Now we have to pay attention to trying to win against Manchester United. This is a vital period for us, with Chelsea and Liverpool our next opponents.

After these fixtures, we can evaluate how we are placed to reach our objectives for the season.

I have seen five times already how this stadium is so hard for opponents.

The way you support us is really special and I feel this sensation even more intensely when we have courage with the ball and our play is positive and imaginative.

I know how much you love our creative players and strikers. But I also see and hear the appreciation you have when the players make a big effort.

Honestly, it is fantastic when I listen to the cheering after a strong tackle, or when a player sprints to close down his opponent.

Our players know they have a responsibility to not stop, to do everything they can for Everton and to try to reward your support.

So often Premier League matches are decided by narrow margins and your influence has contributed to our undefeated run at Goodison.

We need you again today to help us go to seven matches at home without losing.

We welcome Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the staff, players and fans of Manchester United.

Every time I have faced Manchester United in my career, it was against Sir Alex Ferguson, one of my toughest opponents.

Ole is still young in the job and his work this season, I think, has been impressive.

Any team with the capacity to win twice at Manchester City and twice at Chelsea is dangerous.

United have improved their position in the table over the past three months and we are expecting confident opponents, with top internationals everywhere on the pitch.

The incentive for us is to close to only two points behind United and show we have the right character and determination to come back from what happened last week.

Enjoy the game,

Carlo