---
title: "Juan Mata prepared for league run-in"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/03/30/juan-mata-prepared-for-league-run-in/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd News"
published: "2015-03-30T20:11:56Z"
modified: "2015-04-02T11:49:28Z"
---

# Juan Mata prepared for league run-in

With March in the books for another season, Manchester United face many crucial games in April and May. Sir Alex Ferguson famously called this stage of the season ‘squeaky bum time’ and this is certainly going to be the case in this season’s rat race for a top four finish. One player who is relishing this challenge is Juan Mata. Having forced his way back into the starting line up in recent weeks, he has seized the opportunity with some top class performances in key games; none more so than his brace and man of the match display against bitter rivals Liverpool last weekend. This also earned him United’s player of the month award and the Spaniard was keen to thank the fans for this.“I want to thank our fans for the Player of the Month award. It’s been a month with several key victories and a boost of confidence for the team. As I always say, your support is vital for us”

While United have a tough run in; notably high profile games against the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Arsenal, Mata realises every game is as important as the next. “We are in the last stage of the Premier League, eight crucial games to determine where we will finally stand on the table. Personally, I think setting our goals game after game is the right thing to do, trying to win as many as possible and keeping the momentum following wins versus Tottenham and Liverpool”. Momentum is huge come the final stretch of the season, and United will have to resurrect this good momentum from the international break, and this should be helped with the fact that Mata, along with his compatriot Ander Herrera, have had a couple of weeks rest from their heroics at Anfield. Mata’s influence could well bring Champions League football back to Old Trafford.