Thursday 26 February 2015 14:15, UK
Juan Mata says it is crucial that Manchester United bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford next season.
United lost ground in the race for a Champions League place when they were beaten 2-1 by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, but Mata still remains confident the season will end on a high.
Louis van Gaal's side face Sunderland and Newcastle next in the Premier League before an FA Cup quarter-final with Arsenal on March 9 is followed by two massive games against Spurs at Old Trafford and Liverpool at Anfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ at a Manchester United Foundation initiative at Swinton High School, Mata said: "There are still a lot of games to go. We are in a race to win the FA Cup so we will try to win it because it's been a long time since the club won it and it's something very important for us.
"Obviously it's crucial for us to get into the top four at the end of the Premier League season.
It's crucial for us to get into the top four at the end of the Premier League season.
"Right now, we are facing a crucial moment in the Premier League. Obviously the last 10 games are very important and we also have the FA Cup tie against Arsenal. It will be difficult but I think we have to do it because it is an important moment and we have to perform."
United's defeat to Swansea was only their second loss in 20 games, but the Spain midfielder insists they could have taken something from the game had they cashed in on their superior possession after the break.
"It's true that it wasn't a good game for us, although I think we played in their half and in the second period we were close to scoring the second goal," he added.
"But we didn't and when you play for Manchester United, everyone is expecting the best from you, to play well and to win - but obviously this is not very easy to do. We are trying to do it because the fans deserve something good."
Mata said the visit to Swinton High School evoked memories from his own childhood and the 26-year-old praised praised Manchester United for the work they do through the club's Foundation.
"It’s been very good, we managed to referee a little bit and teach some Spanish so it’s been a good day," he said. "I remember when I was in Oviedo in my home town and if players came to the school it would be the greatest day of the year so hopefully it was a very good day for the kids today too.
"Every time I come to schools I see the same and say the same; I think the club does a great job with children around Manchester and around the world and I think it is very positive."
Manchester United Foundation coach Chris Bowcott is based full-time at the school and he is convinced the players' visit inspired pupils at Swinton.
"Today we’ve worked on cross-curricular activities from PE lessons to Spanish and it just improves the confidence throughout," he said. "The kids loved it.
"It’s important for the children to see the players because it just reinforces what the Foundation is doing; it is Manchester United as a brand coming into their school and for us to bring the players in shows that they do believe in the kids, listening to what they are doing and they are doing really well."
Swinton headteacher Mark Harrison added: "Special moments for me today, on both occasions is the players walking in and seeing the students’ faces. We deliberately kept it a surprise, they knew something was happening but they didn’t know what and it just made all the work worthwhile.
"When we are working with Manchester United Foundation one of the benefits that we see is meeting the top players and the ex-players and the legends, again it inspires the students, it gives them access to a wider world and makes them realise that if they work hard and if they focus on what they want that they can achieve masses."
