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Cape Town - Juan Mata admits the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson has left a tremendous amount of pressure on the current crop of players as the struggles at Manchester United continue.
After a 26-year reign that brought 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns - Ferguson announced his retirement at the Red Devils.
David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal both failed to replicate the style and substance of their predecessor and were subsequently shown the door by the Manchester United hierarchy.
The arrival of Jose Mourinho this season along with £145m worth of talent has yet to spark the revival of the Premier League giants and their Spanish playmaker concedes the weight of expectation is beyond comparison.
However, the former Chelsea man feels the club will return to the heights of the Ferguson era.
"It is difficult to start a new era after the time Sir Alex was here," he told reporters after the weekend 0-0 draw with Burnley.
"But I would tell people that this club sooner or later will be fighting for trophies again and hopefully this season.
"We are bringing players every year trying to get that and, sooner or later, we are going to get that because, as I said before, we have a great squad and also an unbelievable support behind us.
"I think we have brought very good players in and I think the squad is very strong and obviously we know that at the beginning of the season the results are not the best that we could get and especially some games have been a little bit cruel for us.
"We know we can do better in some ways and that we need to get points. Football is about winning and also about how you win, the confidence you feel on the pitch and the football you play, but obviously you need to get results."
Meanwhile, United face Fenebahce on Thursday in a Europa League clash after a disappointing goalless draw at home to Burnley.
Kick off is at 20:00 (SA time).
