Mata enjoying winning habit at United

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata claims his side is not dwelling on their nine-match win streak as they prepare for their clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

United’s winning run has been spread across four competitions including six Premier League victories and the Spaniard insisted manager Jose Mourinho’s mentality has rubbed off on the squad.

Mata said: “It is very important to be consistent if you want to win things and that is one of the things the manager has always said.

“The manager said we needed to find this routine of always winning and we have done that in the last two months and we have to keep that going.

“Nine wins in a row feels very good. We are playing better – not so good in some games but we are still winning.”

(Clive Mason/Getty Images)

United’s run will be tested when they host second-placed Liverpool at Old Trafford and Mata admitted his side must improve for the Reds’ visit.

He said: “When we play at Old Trafford we need to play our best for these kinds of games.

“When you don’t play your best game but you are winning, it is a strong mentality, and this club should always have that.

“The last two or three years have not been the best in the club’s history but hopefully the next ones will be very good and I can be here to live it and celebrate very important things with United.”