Cape Town - Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester United is a must-win game for the defending champions.
The Blues have already fallen nine points behind league leaders Manchester City after 10 top-flight games and Courtois is determined to help his team claim a crucial three points against second-placed United, who are four points better off.
"This is a must-win game," he said, according to the Evening Standard.
"Manchester City are already nine points ahead of us, Manchester United four and Tottenham one.
"We must win games like these to remain at the top and close to the other ones. We will try to get the three points and will give our lives for it on Sunday.
"I think we have to start again, maybe have the balance like last season, try to defend first and then look to score goals.
"This season we are conceding more chances than we did last year. We have to try to get that extra step in, that extra per cent to stop actions, not be 90 per cent. Maybe with a lot of games, sometimes you maybe go a bit less."
Chelsea's latest outing resulted in a 3-0 defeat against AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night while Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory against Benfica.