Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata says it is "more difficult" than ever to break into the Premier League's top four.
"I think every club is improving and clubs like Leicester are recruiting really well and they have very good players that can take them to a different level," Mata told Sky Sports.
"Not long ago [Leicester] won the Premier League so they know what it takes to win.
"Football is more difficult now because every club is growing a lot so it's more competitive and every club is able to sign good players. So you have to be better every single season to try and reach your aims."
Not helping United's cause is an injury to midfielder Paul Pogba, who is currently in Dubai rehabbing his right foot having missed the last two games. Mata says any team would feel Pogba's absence given his talent and personality.
"Paul is genuinely a great guy," said the Spain international. "He's positive towards life and he's positive towards football.
"He's injured now but his attitude is good. As a midfielder, I've spoken many times about him, he's very complete as a player.
"For every club he would be very important, and for us he is very important."
One of the positives of United's season so far is the opportunities given to the young players in the squad, and Mata believes it is the job of the senior players to help develop their talent.
"We have young players coming through and sometimes I see myself in [them]. I remember when I was at Valencia at 18 or 19 years old, I had some difficult moments because I didn't play a lot in the beginning but I had some older players helping me.
"That's what I think experienced players have to do with young players.
"They have, hopefully, many years to grow as a player and many games to enjoy their football at this club and we as older players we are here to help them."
Biggskenn
58
Nice sayings..Young players can never perform well without the Experienced Senior players..Manchester United got to learn hard and fast
OmoyajowoEmmanuel
52
The EPL race for golden boot 2019/20 season Man United. - 9 goals Aguero - 8 goals Abraham. - 8 goals Aubameyang - 7 goals Pukki. - 6 goals Sterling. - 6 goals Man United might not win it though...
Iyanda1759
43
New York, NY (AP)- A six year old boy was the center of NYC courtroom yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible. The boy surprises the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beats him just like his parents and he refused to live with her. When the court then suggests that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said they also beat him. Now learning that violence was apparently a way of life for the family, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After conferring with the child welfare officials, the court granted temporary custody to Manchester United, who the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone
godsentpaul
41
Mata: what I really said was united breaking into top four from the BOTTOM more easier than ever Shallom