Juan Mata says Manchester United are in a tough battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League after losing ground over the weekend and must now defeat Burnley on Wednesday.
While Daley Blind rescued a point with an injury-time equaliser in 1-1 draw at West Ham on Sunday, United lost third place to Southampton, who defeated QPR 1-0 on Saturday.
They are now only one point clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with Arsenal a further point back in sixth and Mata believes it is imperative Louis van Gaal's side, who have only won two of their last six league games, beat relegation battlers Burnley.
The Spaniard wrote in his blog: "We play at home against Burnley and we must win this one because the race for the Champions League spots is now very close. We have to get the three points at home, we know that, and that's what we are working for."
Mata was an unused substitute at Upton Park and he conceded that goalkeeper David De Gea had to be in fine form during the draw.
He added: "We saw all the good work that West Ham are doing this season, and they were a threat to David several times. They are always tough to beat at home, and their position in the table [eighth] is well deserved."
Blind wants to forget his point-saving heroics at West Ham and focus on claiming victory over Burnley.
"I like that there's an early game already because we can forget this one,'' Blind told MUTV. "We have to keep looking up and three points is important in the next game.
"We showed a fighting spirit and the character we have and we tried to win the game in the end, but we have to do with the draw and one point. Of course, we wanted more.
"We had to score earlier in the game and not at the end. I think we could have done that. We had the chances, but not the finish.
"It's good that we're creating chances and it's good that we keep possession.''
Centre-back Phil Jones revealed that manager Louis van Gaal was encouraged by United's attitude as they rallied in the closing stages.
"In the end, we are disappointed in the dressing room that we didn't take all three points," he told MUTV, "but West Ham pressed us well and I think a draw was a fair result.
"Ultimately, we are disappointed. We needed to win and it was a big game for us. We have not lost, which is a plus, but we could have gained some ground. It was not to be. We have got another big game on Wednesday night now and we need to win that one as well.
"The manager said in the dressing room after the game that he couldn't fault our spirit. If we had shown that more in the first half then we might have come away with a victory, but we need to address and evaluate this game. Then we will move on to the Burnley game."