UNITED MUST IMPROVE HOME FORM, SAYS MATA
LONDON: Manchester United have won just six times at home in the Premier League this season and midfielder Juan Mata says they must start converting draws into victories at Old Trafford if they are to finish in the top four.
United are fifth and trail fourthplace Manchester City by four points, albeit with a game in hand. United have drawn nine of their 16 home league games and collected more points on their travels than at home.
Mata hopes United’s home fortunes change when they host leaders Chelsea tomorrow.
“We will fight until the end to be in the top four, and in order to do so, we need mainly to get better at Old Trafford, at home,” Mata said. “We have an opportunity against the leaders Chelsea.”
Mata might not play again this season after he underwent groin surgery last month but the Spain midfielder hopes to make a swift return.
“When you’re injured you feel like time goes by very slow, that’s the truth, and my week seemed longer than usual,” he said. “I hope that things keep going well and I can be back soon to enjoy what I like so much: training and playing football.”
United might be struggling by their own high standards under Jose Mourinho this season but the Portuguese manager would get them back to winning ways, said the club’s former captain Nemanja Vidic.
United, who spent heavily in the close season, are only fifth in the Premier League, 18 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
They remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, however, and with 57 points from 30 games they sit four adrift of fourth-placed rivals Manchester City, with a game in hand.
United face a tough task when they take on Mourinho’s former club Chelsea and Vidic acknowledged that the winners of a record 20 English league titles have had to lower their expectations. “Realistically, if we can add a Champions League slot to the (League) Cup we have won already, we have to be satisfied,” the Serbian said.
“We are not in the position we would like to be in but we are fighting for the Champions League (qualification),” said Vidic, who won five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League during his eight-year spell at United.
“Before the season, you always think United should compete for the title but it’s not easy. Mourinho came and brought in four players but to build a winning team, you need time.
“He has been in charge of big teams and won trophies in different countries, so he has the experience and I believe he knows what he is doing.”
Vidic also backed United’s top scorer this season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to stay at the club for one more term with his current contract set to run out after this season.
“At 35 years of age it’s not easy because I am 35 and to be fair I am a bit tired of football,” Vidic said.
“But it seems he is still enjoying it and feeling good on the pitch. It’s good for the club and I hope he will continue to be fit and perform like he has for most of the season.
“He was never counting on speed as a player and that is a positive sign he can do well again next year.”
Ibrahimovic has scored 28 goals in 43 games for United in all competitions, including a brace in their 3-2 League Cup final win over Southampton.
Meanwhile, United youngsters should use manager Mourinho’s criticism as motivation for development, defender Eric Bailly has said.
Mourinho has been in the spotlight recently for his public criticism of 21-year-old defender Luke Shaw but Bailly insists that the manager’s assessment would serve as valuable learning experience for himself and his teammates.
“Most of the players at Manchester United are young... We are here to learn, so it is important to listen to the coach’s advice and also the critics,” Bailly told British media.
“Every player should receive some criticism because we are not perfect. So we have to accept the criticism from the coach and we have to keep on working because the most important thing is to work and improve and gather experience.”
Bailly is one of six United players aged 24 or younger who have 10 or more league appearances this season with several other youngsters in the squad yet to play.
United will resist bids from Real Madrid for David de Gea, who has been stung by criticism from Mourinho.
The Spain goalkeeper was left out of the United side that won at Sunderland last Sunday, with Mourinho citing a hip injury.
As Sportsmail reported, Mourinho questioned De Gea’s lack of assertiveness against West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Mourinho has challenged each player as he looks to push them out of their comfort zones but it’s something to which De Gea, three-time United player of the year, is not accustomed.
It is understood De Gea is back in contention for tomorrow’s game.
De Gea’s absence and upset has alerted Real Madrid, who have long held hopes of persuading him to return to Spain.
Club president Florentino Perez failed with a bid of £29 million for De Gea in August 2015 but has targeted him again for this summer.
United, though, hold the upper hand this time round having committed De Gea to a long-term contract without a buy-out clause.
They will insist De Gea is not for sale and know that Madrid’s other option is Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian has yet to commit to a new contract.
Madrid want Eden Hazard, too, but a top goalkeeper is considered of even greater importance at this stage of their planning. – Reuters/ Daily Mail