Manchester United have dropped significant points in the last few weeks after managing only a draw against the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Stoke City. They could have taken advantage of table leaders Chelsea dropping points. As it is, United remain more than 10 points behind Chelsea with more than half of the season being played.

As a result, they are not realistically being considered as challengers for the title. The former record signing, Juan Mata, is still optimistic, as he says that United will not give up on the title unless it is mathematically impossible to do so.

Mata says that United have shown a lot of character and quality in order to overcome a poor start under Louis Van Gaal. Despite dropping points in the form of stalemates, United remain unbeaten in the last 11 games. The run of tough matches is not beyond them, as they will entertain Southampton at Old Trafford next week. Southampton are unlikely candidates for a top four place and they could leapfrog United with a win at Old Trafford. Van Gaal has ensured that home form remains immaculate and United have lost here since the opening day of the season.

United are only one point above Southampton going into the next league match.”Stoke is always a tricky one, not only because of the opponent but also because it gets very windy in that stadium.We conceded a goal very early into the game, in a corner kick, and we had to fight back to tie the score. Radamel [Falcao] showed his outstanding instinct as a striker. He is spectacular inside the box.But despite his goal we couldn’t win, and it’s been several consecutive draws away from home now… We need a win in our next visit,” said the former Chelsea winger.