Mata: We fought together

“I think that the team today showed the reaction,” he said. “[We showed] that we can compete when we give everything.

“[We showed] that we can fight together, that we can attack and defend together and that’s what we did today. Each of us gave everything we had.”

Cristiano Ronaldo equalised just two minutes after Marcos Alonso’s 60th-minute opener, converting Nemanja Matic’s clever chipped pass with a devastating volley.

This flurry of goals came after a tense first half, which saw Chelsea's right-back Reece James and attacker Kai Havertz cause problems for the United defence.

“Well, it was a tough game, to be honest,” said Mata. “Especially in the first half.

“They created a lot of close moments in which they could have scored. David [De Gea] made a couple of good saves and so it was tough to defend.”

He added: “They found little pockets, they overload the middle of the pitch and also on the wings, so it was a tough first half.”

The draw against Chelsea means that our top-four hopes remain in the hands of our rivals.

The Reds currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, below Tottenham and Arsenal, who both have two games in hand on Rangnick’s side.

“It’s been a frustrating season,” said the Spaniard. “On a group level, on a club level, and on a personal level."

"I think [we have to be] positive and be constructive. It is a season in which we have to learn. To not make the same mistakes over the season in order to compete better with the best teams and put this club to where it should be, which is competing for the best trophies.”

With just three Premier League matches remaining this term, Mata outlined what the Reds need to show between now and the end of the season.

He said: “It is about pride. It is about representing your club the best you can. Every time you are on the training pitch and [in matches] you have to give everything.

“You have to play and try to play your best football and give the maximum effort that you have out there.”