Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has stressed that the Red Devils need to be more clinical in front of goal to get back to winning ways.
Louis van Gaal’s men slumped to a third successive league defeat to West Brom on Sunday at Old Trafford and though they dominated the game from start to finish, a deflected Chris Brunt free-kick proved to be crucial in the final scheme of things.
Manchester United had Champions League qualification seemingly sewn up a couple of weeks ago but three back-to-back losses have allowed Liverpool, who are four points behind them in fifth, to hope again.
The Red Devils have failed to find the back of the net since their win over Manchester City last month and Mata said that though they are dominating possession, they need to take their chances to get themselves rolling again.
“It’s the tendency of the last few weeks: we have more ball possession that our opponent and create chances but we aren’t able to take them”, Mata wrote in his blog.
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“We must focus on being effective because we haven’t scored in the last few games and we can’t afford it any longer.
"On Saturday we tried until the end but their goalkeeper was brilliant.”
With three games left to play, Manchester United need to get back to winnings ways against Crystal Palace next Saturday to put the pressure back on Liverpool in the top four race, who visit Chelsea on Sunday.
Mata admits that they need to get back on track against Alan Pardew’s men or risk spoiling their good work over the last few months.
“There are three finals remaining and, as I said above, I hope we can change this streak as soon as possible.
“Our next game is in London against Crystal Palace. It would be good to repeat the same score of last season.”
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