Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata admits that the month of March will be a huge test of the side's top four credentials.
The Red Devils are currently fourth in the league table, but Liverpool are just two points off them in fifth and the club are aware that with only eleven league games left to play, any slip-up might cost them dearly at the end of the campaign.
The month of March could make or break their season as they are going to take on fellow top contenders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool and also face Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Looking at the fixture list, Mata is aware that this month could go on to define their campaign, but he stressed that Manchester United are up for the challenge.
“We will need to give everything in the next games to get our goals”, the playmaker wrote on his personal blog.
relatedNewsStory
“For a start, the day after tomorrow against Newcastle in the Premier League, and next Monday against Arsenal in the FA Cup.
"We will also play Tottenham and Liverpool in March, so it’s not an exaggeration to describe this month as one of the most demanding ones this season.”
Though the win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday did release some of the pressure that was on them after their defeat at Swansea, Mata stressed that the league table is still very tight and the club are looking to win as many games as possible from their remaining eleven fixtures to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
“Having lost at Swansea, it was really important to beat Sunderland last Saturday and get the three points.
“We remain in the Champions League spots, but you just need to have a look at the table to realise how close this race is going to be until the end of the season.
"We are ready for that, although all we think about is trying to win all the games left.”
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
