Juan Mata insists he and Manchester United can fight-back from this season's disappointment.
Mata joined United in January from Chelsea.
"I went through a situation at Chelsea that I had not been through before in my career," he told the Daily Mail. "I was not playing regularly but I really believe that made me stronger. You can lose faith in yourself in adversity but I never did. I remained confident and I never lost sight of my objectives.'
He believes United can emulate Liverpool who, unfettered by European football, have lit up this season with their energetic football.
"It can definitely be an advantage in the league. Of course, I would rather be playing in the Champions League, but if we take Liverpool as the example - you have a team who have fought all the way to the finish without having played in the Champions League."
