Manchester United attacking midfielder Juan Mata has admitted that he has found it painful to watch English clubs playing in the Champions League this season.

United finished seventh last season just a year after winning the title, and Mata claims that it is vital for Louis van Gaal's side to remain fully focused on finishing in the top four as they battle the likes of Southampton and Arsenal for a spot in Europe's elite club competition.

"It's difficult, every Tuesday and Wednesday watching the games on TV," the Spaniard revealed to members of the media.

"It's the thought that we all have in our minds that we need to be back in the Champions League - it's the most attractive competition in the world. We need to be there again.

"It is going to be a fight until the end and not just between two teams, it will be between three, four, five teams, that we are now in a short difference of points."

United return to action against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.