Juan Mata is determined to help Manchester United into a top-four position by season's end.
The Red Devils relinquished third spot when losing 2-1 to Swansea City on the weekend with Arsenal leapfrogging them from fourth.
Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham are all within three points of United but Mata is desperate to hold them off in the remaining 12 games in the season so the Old Trafford outfit can rightly return to Champions League action next season while juggling their FA Cup commitments.
"There are still a lot of games to go. We are in a race to win the FA Cup so we will try to win it because it's been a long time since the club won it and it's something very important for us," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Obviously it's crucial for us to get into the top four at the end of the Premier League season.
"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."
