Manchester United midfielder Fred has claimed that Monday's Premier League showdown with Tottenham Hotspur is a must-win game for his side if they are to stay in the title race.

The 2018-19 season is only two games old, but already United trail many of their expected top-six rivals by three points following their shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday.

Fred admitted that his side deserved to lose at the Amex, but stressed the importance of bouncing straight back and suggested that their title chances could already be over if they fall to a second successive defeat.

"It's a very important game. This week we've been working, focusing on this game, we want to go out and get the win in front of our home fans. We know Tottenham are a great team but we need to get the win if we are to aspire to win the league," he told Sky Sports News.

"The Premier League is a great league and there are a lot of great teams and Brighton were better than Man United. They got early goals which we didn't manage to achieve, we improved but unfortunately this wasn't enough for a win or a draw.

"Going into the next game we want to be focused and we want to win so we can stay in the race for the title."

United have not lost back-to-back Premier League matches since May 2017.