David de Gea Urges Manchester United to Seal Europa League Qualification

David de Gea wants Manchester United to push on and clinch a spot in the Europa League in their final five games of the season.

David Moyes' side have long been out of the title race following a dismal attempt at retaining their crown this season and find themselves with little to play for but pride as the season draws to a close.

With United currently 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal their 18-year run in the Champions League is surely over, but due to Manchester City's League Cup success a sixth-place finish would be enough to qualify for Europe's second competition.

Having seen the positive effects an absence from European competition has had on Premier League title contenders Liverpool this campaign, some have suggested a season to focus solely on domestic matters would be far more beneficial for United than a schedule that includes Thursday night trips across the continent.

However De Gea insists the club remains focused on ensuring conventional football next season.

"There are still plenty of important games to play," De Gea told United's official website after being named the club's player of the month for March 2014.

"We are Manchester United and it is our duty to win every game we take part in.

"That's what we 'll try to do now because we want to finish as high as we can in the league, ensure we are playing in a European competition next season and show we are still around and that we will never give in."

United's long-running participation in Europe's premier competition was brought to a halt by holders Bayern Munich earlier this month. While their 4-2 aggregate loss ended their season ahead of schedule, the Spanish shot stopper insists the club will not dwell on their sobering European experience.

"The Bayern defeat was tough for us to take," De Gea continued. "We put in two really good performances and with a bit of luck, I think we could have gone through.

"But it was always going to be a difficult task going to Munich and now we have to keep going."