Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata believes that his side can still end their season on a high by winning the UEFA Europa League.
United went down to Sunderland on Saturday to suffer their seventh English Premier League defeat and are now 12 points adrift of league leaders Leicester City.
"I understand this is not the best possible situation (being in the Europa League and not the Champions League), but it is what it is, and our goal is to keep advancing so we can have the chance to lift this trophy, which would come with a double reward," Mata wrote in his blog on Monday.
"My personal experience tells me that if we work for it with excitement it could be a positive way to finish the season, as I lived three seasons ago (at Chelsea)."
The 27-year-old has also urged his side to move on from Saturday's heart breaking loss.
"The only way to get to a better position is by working hard for the next game," he wrote.
"There is no other way. Mourning is useless now; besides, there are still many games to play and many things can happen this season."
"I understand and share your (the fans') frustration, but once again the way to overcome the defeats and the complicated moments is, in my opinion, by standing united, working hard and never giving up."
