United head coach Neil Redfearn wants his side to show a fighting spirit in the coming weeks starting at Derby County on Tuesday evening.

United head to the iPro Stadium following a 2-0 home defeat to Wigan on Boxing Day and the head coach wants to see a desire from his players against a Derby side that his team beat on November 29.

“Derby County are a good side,” said Redfearn. “It is a tough place to go.

“We’ve got to pick the team up and we’ve got to go again, that is part of life.

“They are in something that they enjoying doing and it is worth fighting for. They have got to show that fighting spirit.

“This is a great way to earn a living but they have got to show that desire to be professional footballers and people have got to see that.”

Following the Boxing Day result United now lay in 20th in the Sky Bet Championship but the head coach insists there are still plenty of points on offer.

“We are down there but there is a lot of the season to go,” added the head coach. “There is still a lot of points to play for.

“But we have to start picking up results and if we are going to do that we need to start getting better at both ends of the pitch.

“Our general play is usually as good as anyone that we play against. We pass the ball and we are trying to play.

“We have lots of spells of possession but we have got to do something with it.

“We need to be more dangerous with the ball and the people at the business end of the market, your strikers, need to come alive and be alert. They have got to earn their corn by putting the ball in the back of the net. And the people at the back have got to be strong and resolute and keep cleansheets.”

Our trip to Derby County on Tuesday (7.45pm) will be live on Sky Sports.