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Juan Mata says Manchester United must finish strongly to save season

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata believes footballers are out of touch because of their wages

Juan Mata admits this season has been a frustrating one for Manchester United – but he is hopeful a late surge can see them finish on a high.

United welcome Premier League leaders Leicester to Old Trafford on Super Sunday and will seek to prevent the high-flying Foxes from gaining the three points they need to win the title.

Louis van Gaal's men have not been a factor in the title race since a disastrous dip in form in December and head into Sunday's encounter trailing their opponents by 17 points.

The 20-time league champions currently lie fifth, five points behind Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for the top four, and face the very real prospect of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson departed.

"It has not been an easy season," Mata admitted, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports.

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Despite some of the pessimism currently surrounding the Red Devils, there is still plenty at stake in their remaining five games this season.

Anthony Martial's dramatic injury-time winner against Everton last Saturday at Wembley secured United's place against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final - a competition they have not won since 2004.

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There is also hope in the league as - despite the five-point gap - United have a game in hand over Arsenal and City, with the Gunners still to visit the Etihad Stadium on May 8.

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Mata knows this season will be defined for United by what happens over the final month.

"We still have the chance to make it look good," Mata said.

"It has been a long season with a lot of games but we have the chance now to finish on a high. We have a chance to win a trophy - the FA Cup which the club has not won for a few years now.

"And I still believe we have a chance to reach the third or fourth position if we win all our remaining games in the Premier League."

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Louis van Gaal thinks Manchester United can only postpone Leicester winning the Premier League

Mata has appeared in all 34 of United's league games this season, starting 31 of them, but has struggled to find his best form in a team that is on course to shatter the club's record low for league goals scored in a Premier League season of 58, which was set in 2004/05.

The current side have managed just 42 from 34 games but Mata says now is not the time to reflect on this season's struggles.

Mata said: "Like the team, I have had good and bad moments but I am really focused on these important games we have between now and the end of the season because we can still win a trophy and get fourth place.

"The end of the season is the time to look back."

Juan Mata parades the FA Cup alongside former Chelsea team-mate Fernando Torres
Image: Juan Mata parades the FA Cup with former Chelsea team-mate Fernando Torres

Mata is the only member of United's squad to have tasted glory in the FA Cup, winning it with Chelsea in 2011/12.

The 28-year-old Spaniard cherishes the memory and is hopeful he can taste more success in the competition on May 21.

"It was a great feeling," Mata said. "It was my first season in England and we won two trophies - the FA Cup and the Champions League - but the FA Cup was very special because it was the first one.

"We played against Tottenham in the semi-final and Liverpool in the final and I have great memories from the games and from the first trophy I lifted in England.

"Hopefully I can do it again."

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