Manchester United's long wait for another major trophy will come to an end sooner rather than later, according to Juan Mata.
The Red Devils finished both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns empty-handed, with a frustrating transitional period post-Sir Alex Ferguson extending to six years.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the latest head coach attempting to restore former glories at Old Trafford, but he has been unable to oversee significant progress at the start of the new season.
United have slipped to 10th in the Premier League after seven matches, picking up just nine points out of a possible 21.
Solskjaer's best hope of success appears to lie in cup competitions, with a place in the Champions League on offer if he can mastermind a Europa League triumph come next May.
Ahead of a trip to the Netherlands to face AZ on Thursday, Mata has insisted that United's recent trophy drought won't last "too long" under the Norwegian's stewardship.
“I think that when the club says we’re going to take time and the manager as well, we don’t believe it’s going to be too long,” the Spaniard told a pre-match press conference.
“I think this club, since I’ve been born, has always been winning. [Ole] has won here a lot as a player and, for me, personally, I have been here for a few years already and won a few things, but obviously, my aim in my mind is only to win something important with United.
“I believe that during my time here as a player we can do it.
“Obviously, we know other teams are doing things well and playing very good football, but I think that winning a trophy with United is possible and that, now, in the final part of my career, is my biggest opportunity.”
Getty ImagesUnited's last piece of silverware arrived when Jose Mourinho led United to Europa League glory back in 2017 and they will be expected to reach the latter stages of the competition once again this time around.
Mata went on to concede that the Premier League title is beyond the Red Devils at this moment in time, with Liverpool and Manchester City setting new standards of excellence in the English game.
The 31-year-old, who signed a two-year contract extension at Old Trafford back in June, added on the widening gap between United and their major rivals: "Well, it is what it is. The rivals are playing good, they’re winning trophies.
“But, as I said when I renewed my contract here, to be a Manchester United player is something really special and if I can win a trophy here during my time playing it will be incredible and it would be worth the wait, for sure.”