While the two Manchester teams attempt to exert significant pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings, Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag have both emphasized the value of maintaining concentration. United and City have been improving, while the Gunners have lost eight points in their last three games.
Despite having played an additional game, the champions are currently in first place after their 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. United, meanwhile, has played one extra game and is currently second, five points behind. Despite being outsiders for the league, Ten Hag's team leads the form table after winning four of their previous five games.
They were the only team to defeat Arsenal this season up until two weeks ago, and they are one of just three teams to accomplish so. The Gunners' 3-2 loss to Mikel Arteta's team appeared to eliminate them from contention, but two losses and a draw over the previous two weeks for the Arsenal had somewhat leveled the playing field.
There is a potential for Arsenal to rise back to the top, even if only for a short time, or there is a chance for them to put additional pressure on the pursuing pair with their quick turnaround before their trip to Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.
Both managers refused to be dragged into the title charge debate, Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag was more focused on his own team, rather than the title race.
"What we have to do is to put us in the right position in April, so our thinking can only be on the next game. We always have to better than the previous game, and think about game for game – that is the energy and focus."
Man United maintained their impressive run of form on Thursday night with a 2-2 draw away to Barcelona, but they continue to be the underdogs. They more than anybody else will need to demonstrate their worth over the course of the season's remaining 15 games while also maintaining their position in the running for both domestic and European cup competitions.
"It means that we have to win on Sunday and we have to collect the three points against Leicester," Ten Hag said. "That demands a lot of energy and it demands high standards.
"We are in the right direction but we have to fight for it [the top four.] That is two ways: one is the Europa League the other is in the Premier League. So we know what we have to do. We have to see it game to game, and to fight to get back into the Champions League."
Pep Guardiola is concerned with topping the Premier league table rather settling for a champions league spot ahead of next season.
"Arsenal still have a game in hand, so nothing has changed much," he said despite dealing a psychological blow in midweek.
"When you are a lot of points in front or a lot of points behind, yes there is a big difference, but we are tight. Momentum is when you win 10 games in a row and it didn’t happen this season. We lost three games ago in London against Tottenham.
"Momentum is tomorrow [Saturday] at 3pm – be ready, mentally, against a team that have lost just one in six, have won important games at home, with their crowd and with a manager I respect a lot for what he’s done for English football."
Manchester City could pipe Arsenal to the league title a feat they have repeatedly achieved twice against Liverpool after embacking on a run of wins; they won 10 consecutive games to steal the title from Liverpool on both occasions. However, Pep Guardiola wants his side to stay grounded despite beating Arteta's Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
"The victory against Arsenal doesn't seal the title though and will be put to the side, he said. "It is forgotten and we are just thinking about Nottingham Forest.
"We wanted to arrive with 15 games left to be close, and we want to arrive at the last eight or 10 games being there close to the top, and after make the last rush or effort. The last weeks helped us, for the results of Arsenal and the victories we have done.
"We are in the position I would have dreamed of at the beginning of the season. I could not expect to be a lot of points in front after winning back to back. That’s almost impossible," he explained.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will go into their Saturday's fixture under pressure and they will have to face former manager, Unai Emery's Aston Villa
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