Mata Eyes Consistency

Juan Mata feels Manchester United are close to clicking into top form, but says building up some momentum and consistency is vital in the coming games.

The Spanish playmaker, who was captain during Saturday's goalless draw with Burnley, has been one of the Reds' most consistent and influential performers this term.

Mata was left hugely frustrated, like every United player and fan inside Old Trafford at the weekend, after a strong display unfortunately failed to yield any goals or three points. The 28-year-old says Jose Mourinho's side must continue to keep faith in the way the team are playing, but admits it's vital to get points on the board sooner rather than later.

"Obviously we would like to be in a different position in the table, higher up, but I think especially in the last games, not against Chelsea, but before that and the games against City and Burnley, we showed the football we can play," Mata told reporters at Monday's launch for United's new global partnership with Mlily.

"Against Burnley, it was a very weird game in the way we had more chances than ever to score but we didn’t. We need to keep going though, we have a great squad with a lot of quality to show we can play good football and win games and that’s our aim. We know we need to start winning soon and we have to find consistency because we are not in the position we’d like to be in.

"I think we have brought very good players in and I think the squad is very strong and obviously we know that at the beginning of the season the results are not the best that we could get and especially some games have been a little bit cruel for us.

"We know we can do better in some ways and that we need to get points. Football is about winning and also about how you win, the confidence you feel on the pitch and the football you play, but obviously you need to get results."

Mata was asked about the progress the club has made since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, with some in the media feeling the process is taking some time. The Spaniard insists: "It’s difficult to start a new era after the time Sir Alex was here but I would tell people that this club sooner or later will be fighting for trophies again and hopefully this season.

"We are bringing players every year trying to get that and, sooner or later, we are going to get that because, as I said before, we have a great squad and also an unbelievable support behind us. That’s one of the things that makes this club very special, the support we have even in the bad moments."

The Reds are currently preparing for Thursday's Europa League visit to Istanbul to take on Fenerbahce and the squad was joined by Bastian Schweinsteiger during Monday's training session.

"I think we’re all very happy for him that he’s training with us," added Mata. "I didn’t train with him because we were in separate groups but obviously I wish the best for him and hopefully the best for the team as well."

On the match against Fenerbahce, Juan continued: "The group is very tight and it will be very important for us to win there and to get very close to qualification [for the next stages] but we know as well that they’re going to be very difficult. When you play in Turkey it’s a very difficult atmosphere and we have to face it."