Antonio Valencia says Manchester United can finish the season on a high.
Valencia feels his Manchester United team-mates have been boosted by last weekend's Emirates FA Cup semi-final success at Wembley Stadium and the Ecuadorian hopes to harness that feel-good factor against Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
"There's a good feeling in the air," he says. “We're happy and motivated by the win. It was a really important result for the team and it was well deserved – a good day's work. We were really happy in the dressing room. Celebrating, congratulating Anthony, patting each other on the back about the excellent work... there was just a big buzz, and we were laughing around because we'd done it."
Louis van Gaal's men are competing with Manchester City, Arsenal and even West Ham United to secure that top-four finish and qualification to next season's UEFA Champions League. Asked if he is confident of achieving that ambition, Valencia delivers an optimistic and honest answer.
“Let's hope so!" the Ecuadorian says. “We hope we can make it. I think the fans would love it and we're fighting hard to qualify for the Champions League - I'm desperate to get there. Last week's win really motivates us; and every game that we play motivates us and drives us on to get there.
“They've had a great season and have proved themselves in all of their games. Let's hope they're not that consistent when they play us at Old Trafford. It's going to be a great game. Above all, let's hope it's a victorious game for us. They're fighting to win the title; we're going for the top four. We're hoping to get what we want from the game."