Mata Believes Manchester United Can Finish In Top 4, But I Disagree - Here's Why

I cannot stress to you how important I believe the signing of Juan Mata was for Manchester United last month. With a midfield almost void of creativity and with no pace or hunger, the record signing of the little Spaniard was a shrewd one.

The two-time Chelsea Player of the Year may not have started to show just how good he can be for the Old Trafford side just yet, but with 13 key passes, three assists and a 91% pass completion in his first four games for the Red Devils, he is well on his way.

United currently sit in seventh, 15 points behind leaders Chelsea and 11 outside the top four, but Mata has shared his belief regarding the Old Trafford side pushing into the Champions League places.

Reported by Sky Sports, Mata said: "The objective is to get to the Champions League spots. "It's difficult because Liverpool are doing well, so are Arsenal, as well as Tottenham and Everton, who are all clubs also fighting for them, but I think we have a team who can do it.

"We are coming and I think we can do it, but we have to win a lot of games first."

Now, forgive me for being a pessimist, but I firmly believe that United's hopes for a top four finish are over. For me the gap is far too big to overturn and I don't think they have the players to do it.

In my eyes they are still short in the central places and are holding onto too many players who are unable to drag them to victory - think Tom Cleverely, Nani and Ashley Young, and I think the best they can hope for is a fifth place finish.

Even that will be difficult, though, with Spurs and Everton having such strong seasons.