Manchester United defender Antonio Valencia has said his side must “keep fighting” despite the gap between themselves and league leaders Manchester City.

United sit 13 points behind City in the Premier League table with only 12 games to play.

However, City – who were at one point looking unbeatable – have had a recent dip in form. Pep Guardiola’s side first lost 4-3 to Liverpool just after the turn of the year, and have since struggled to replicate the dazzling form they showed prior to New Year.

A near scare over two-legs in the Carabao Cup against Championship side Bristol City has recently been followed by a shock 1-1 draw to Burnley, leading to Valencia believing United’s rivals aren’t as ‘uncatchable’ as everyone may have thought.

“We need to keep fighting until the end – we need to keep going,” said United’s no.25, after the Reds beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 last Saturday. “A few years ago, we lost a title when we were eight points ahead and there were only a few games left. Now, we have a lot more games to play and we need to keep fighting.

“The important thing is always to get the three points – playing at home, playing well, and we will carry on with this mentality until the end of the season. We have showed that we have the quality and conditions to fight until the end of the season.”

Valencia has been the stand-in captain for the club this season in the absence of Michael Carrick, and the Ecuador international says he is relishing the role of being United’s leader on the pitch.

“I want to represent the team and I think I am doing it well, but the most important thing is that my team-mates are happy with me.”