Juan Mata has warned his Manchester United teammates that they cannot afford to let Champions League qualification slip through their fingers this season.
The Red Devils suffered a hiccup in their pursuit of a top-four finish after losing 2-1 to Swansea City on Saturday to leave them fourth by a point.
With an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Arsenal in March, along with Premier League clashes with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, Mata admits that it could prove to be a season-defining month for United.
"Obviously it's crucial for us to get into the top four at the end of the Premier League season," the Spaniard told Sky Sports News.
"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 shelled out some £150m on transfers during the summer in what was the second most expensive spending spree in football history.
Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind all arrived on permanent deals, while Radamel Falcao joined in a big-money season-long loan from AS Monaco.
Shane Callaghan
