Juan Mata’s inspiration for the key role he performed in Manchester United’s resounding 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday came from the unlikely source of the Chinese contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang, the Spanish midfielder has revealed.

Making his first Premier League start for two months, Mata was instrumental in United’s dazzling first-half performance in which Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney all found the net to boost their hopes of a top-four finish.

According to Mata it was United’s best half of football under Louis van Gaal and keeps them five points clear of Liverpool, who face Swansea on Monday.

Mata had been recently restricted to appearances off the bench prior to Sunday’s victory but he has not been moping about it, according to his weekly blog, turning his attentions instead to Manchester’s art scene.

“I would like to recommend to those who come to Manchester a visit to the Whitworth Art Gallery,” he wrote. “I went there a few days ago and I was really surprised by some of Cai Guo-Qiang’s works and his drawing technique using gunpowder. Overall, this is a very interesting and well-designed museum.”

Next up is Sunday’s trip to Liverpool – another match that will go some way to deciding who finishes in the top four – and Mata believes that having pulled clear of Spurs in the race for Champions League qualification, United can go to Anfield full of confidence.

“From a personal point of view I have to say that I felt really good on the pitch and I enjoyed again [playing] from the beginning with my team-mates, trying to be helpful in all aspects of the game,” he added.

“Now we must focus on each of the remaining games, and they are not many, in order to achieve our goal which is to bring the Champions League back to Old Trafford. Some of our rivals are also fighting for the same but I hope this win against Tottenham will give us confidence to perform at our highest level.”