Mata issues rallying call

MANCHESTER: Manchester United players will have to motivate themselves at home to Bournemouth today after manager Jose Mourinho suggested their Premier League title challenge was probably over.

The 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City on Sunday leaves United second in the table but a daunting 11 points behind their city rivals.

However, United’s Spanish forward Juan Mata issued a stirring rallying call in the wake of the defeat.

“We must carry on, knowing there’s still a long way to go,” said Mata. “The calendar gives you no time for mourning and we have to focus on what’s next.

“The list of fixtures is very demanding this month so it’s important to get to each game in the best condition possible.

“I think we have the ability to do it, even though we know these are the toughest weeks of the season.

“We are Manchester United and we have experience in playing every few days.”

United’s fixture list is indeed a hectic one — today’s match is the fourth of nine games they face during December.

It does not help that they will once again be without France midfielder Paul Pogba, who serves the second game of a three-match ban incurred for his sending-off at Arsenal on Dec 2.

Mourinho has given every indication so far that he intends to persist with Romelu Lukaku, despite the Belgium striker’s poor run of form in front of goal.

The Cherries had Jermain Defoe to thank for claiming a point with the veteran scoring twice and offering signs he is returning to his best form after an inconsistent start to the season.

“Hopefully it’s a start for him, he had a few niggles early on in the season so he was set back a little,” said Howe.

“Now he’s getting back to where he wants to be and that will give us a big lift.”

Defoe concurred with Howe. AFP