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Manchester United can overhaul City and finish second – Juan Mata
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata says his team can overhaul neighbours Manchester City and claim the Premier League runners-up place.
After the final international break of the season, the quest for a Champions League place continues this weekend.
Back-to-back wins against Tottenham and Liverpool have put fourth-placed United two points behind second-placed City.
“We are one point and two points from City and Arsenal and I think we can do it,” Mata told the BBC Football Focus.
“We can even be second if we win the direct games against them.”
United host strugglers Aston Villa on Saturday in a 15:00 BST kick-off, before welcoming local rivals City a week on Sunday. Arsenal visit Old Trafford in the penultimate game of United’s season on Sunday, 17 May.
Arsenal v Liverpool: Sterling in spotlight
Third-placed Arsenal host fifth-placed Liverpool at Emirates Stadium at 12:45 BST on Saturday.
The game will be played against the backdrop of England forward Raheem Sterling turning down a new £100,000-a-week Liverpool deal.
In an interview with BBC Sport, the 20-year-old, who has been linked with several clubs including the Gunners, said he was motivated by trophies not money.
But former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said Sterling was making a mistake over his Anfield future.
Carragher, writing in his Daily Mail column, said: “Liverpool and [Brendan] Rodgers are what Sterling needs at this stage of his career. He should realise this.”
Meanwhile, manager Rodgers has confirmed Sterling will play at the Emirates and demanded a reaction from the winger against the Gunners.
BBC Sport