Juan Mata has warned his Manchester United teammates that Europa League opponents Celta Vigo are ‘one of the best’ Spanish sides.
United visit Balaidos on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League semi final with a host of injuries but the former Valencia maestro believes Eduardo Berizzo’s side are among Spain’s best.
"First of all we have to visit Celta in the Europa League. I can say, without exaggerating, that they are one of the teams that play better football in Spain, and not only this season," Mata wrote in his weekly blog.
"Being back home will be special, but very difficult at the same time. We must perform at our best in order to beat them.
“Besides, a few days later we will visit another big opponent such as Arsenal, with three key points at stake. Every game from now on is a final for us, that's how we face them."
Despite being hit by a number of injury concerns, Mata’s early return to fitness has provided Jose Mourinho with a massive boost ahead of his side’s run-in.
