Sports
Man United must play Champions League next season: Mata
London, Jan 28
Midfielder Juan Mata Wednesday
urged his team Manchester United to step up their bid for a top four
place, admitting it is hard watching their rivals play in the Champions
League this season while Louis van Gaal’s side are excluded from
Europe’s elite competition.
Mata, 26, moved to Old Trafford from
Chelsea in a 37.1 million pounds deal a year ago this week but was
unable to help his new club finish any higher than seventh after their
disappointing season under David Moyes.
It meant that United
missed out on Champions League football for the first time in 19 years,
and their place in the top four is once again under threat from a
chasing pack after only two wins from their last six league games.
Mata
warned that Van Gaal’s side are entering a decisive stage of the season
as they prepare to meet bottom club Leicester City at Old Trafford
Saturday, and must go on a winning streak to avoid another season of
frustration.
"It’s difficult watching the games on TV every
Tuesday and Wednesday. It's the thought that we all have in our minds
that we need to be back in the Champions League," the Spaniard was
quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk.
"It’s the most attractive
competition in the world - we need to be there again. This is our main
objective for this season, to play Champions League football again
because I think this club should always play in the Champions League.