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Juan Mata: Man Utd CAN do a Liverpool and challenge for the title next season
JUAN MATA believes missing out on the Champions League could be a blessing in disguise for Manchester United and that they can win, if not make a sustained challenge for the title like Liverpool have done this term.
Mata, who has already lifted the trophy with the big ears during his time at Chelsea, is set to miss out on playing European football next season unless United beat Southampton and Tottenham slip up at home to Aston Villa tomorrow.
Liverpool who are currently 18 points ahead of United in the table, spent five seasons in the European wilderness before re-joining the elite this season.
Though Mata understands the absence of Champions League is a source of frustration for United, he believes they can use it to their advantage next season.
Why not? That might be good for the Premier League, yes
"In the league? Definitely. Of course, I would rather be playing in the Champions League but if we take Liverpool as the example this year; there's a team who have fought all the way to the finish without having played in the Champions League and that might have helped them," he said.
"Why not? That might be good for the Premier League, yes."
Mata has scored five times and provided five assists too since moving to Old Trafford.