Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata says he will remain hopeful of scoring 10 goals for the third consecutive season at Old Trafford.

The Spanish international is currently second-highest scorer of the season, having found the back of the net nine times already this season. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ahead of him in the scoring charts, with 20.

Mata admits goals will always be an important part of his game and says he is determined to hit double-figures for the third campaign in a row.

‘I’m happy with my goals total. I’ve got nine so far and hopefully I can score many more between now and the end of the season, and then look back on a really good season,’ Mata told the Manchester United website.

‘So far in February that number of goals for a midfielder is not bad. I haven’t set a target, but hopefully I can do it again and have 10 goals for three seasons in a row.’

The 28-year-old says it’s true that scoring has been a ‘big part’ of his career, but he insists that United manager Jose Mourinho expects different sort of qualities from different sets of players.

‘Well yes, I think he appreciates some different qualities from different players, so whenever I play I always try to be in that position that allows me to create a chance or finish one,’ he added.

‘Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t, but it’s important to always be in the right position. I try to play with the ball – possession, passes, assists – but scoring goals has also been a big part of my career.’

Manchester United will now turn their attention to the Europa League Last 32 first leg when they take on Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne on Thursday.

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 22:05.