While gaining momentum ahead of the ACL now becomes a major priority, Rudan believes every player in the Reds squad should want to do their best regardless of the lure of the prestigious Asian club competition.

"I think we're professional enough to go about our job in the right manner," said Rudan. "There are four games to go, we'll give it a good shake, try and stir up the top six.

"But in saying that our primary focus will be on the ACL, so we'll use those four games as preparation for the ACL.

"Will we take our foot off the pedal? No chance. We're too professional to even think about that, and there is no way we want to go into the ACL with bad form."

Rudan also said the playing group needed to take responsibility for the Reds' current position and a season that has gone a lot more wrong than right.

"First and foremost as players you've got to put your hand up and be honest and accountable for your own actions," Rudan said.

"The ladder doesn't lie, we're the ones that cross the white line but in saying that, it's a team game, and when I say that, I mean it's all the players, the coaches, the staff at the club, it's everyone involved.

"Everyone is accountable but yes, we could have done a lot better as players."

Avoiding a bottom placed finish is another incentive for United and Rudan over the next month.

Tthe former Sydney FC captain, who led the harbour city club to the inaugural A-League championship in 2006, said personal pride should provide more than enough drive for every player in United's squad to not just lie down.

He added: "We want to prepare ourselves the right way going into the ACL, but in saying that there is a lot at stake and no one wants to finish last.

"No one wants that on their CV, so that's another determining factor in us wanting to do well."