They can’t win every game – and we’ve got them in our sights
JUAN MATA has cranked up the stakes ahead of the Manchester derby by warning City they will stumble in the Premier League title race and their neighbours are ready to pounce.
Mata dismisses views City have already got one hand on the trophy after a blistering start that has seen them win 13 games on the bounce and build an eight-point lead from second-placed United after only 15 fixtures. He says Jose Mourinho’s squad remain confident of reeling in that advantage, starting on Sunday at Old Trafford, a game that may go a long way to shaping the destiny of the title.
“It’s very difficult, especially in the Premier League, for anyone to win every single game,” he said. “When you play teams like Watford, Stoke, West Ham, it is very difficult to win every game and we need to be ready if they drop points.
“Physically, December is a very tough month. We play every two or three days around Christmas and we need to be ready for that.”
Many ex-players turned media pundits claim City
will not buckle but Mata thinks they are wrong, even though he admits he has been impressed by Pep Guardiola’s team.
“Most of them [the pundits] have played football and they know how football can change,” he said.
“If they have said it’s all over then I don’t think they really believe it.
“I remember a few seasons ago when United were eight points ahead of City with only six games left and yet City still won the title on goal difference.
“It’s a crazy league and it’s too early to think that it’s finished. From City, they will tell you the same.”
Mata feels United’s own impressive start – one of their best in the Premier League era – has gone largely unappreciated because of City’s stylish form. “City are doing good and winning a lot of games. They’re scoring nice goals, but we’re doing our bit as well,” he said. “We’d love to be first in the table right now, but we’re doing lots of good things.
“We need to keep that pace if we want to be in a position to challenge for the title at the end of the season and hopefully we can do it.” Paul Pogba says he is gutted to be suspended for the derby but insists United can still win it without him.
When the France midfielder was out for two months earlier this season the creativity suffered, goals were harder to come by and results dipped.
But since he returned, United have won five out of six games and scored 14 goals. “I have complete trust in the team even if I am not there,” he said.
“I’ll be there watching the game giving positive energy and hopefully we are going to win. Can we catch City? If I don’t believe we can I stop playing football now.”
Pogba insists there was no malice in his challenge on Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin that earned him his three-game ban. But he admits the tackle looked worse than it actually was.
He said: “It looks bad but I know Hector and I would never give him a tackle like this.
“Unfortunately for me I thought he would put his feet [into the tackle] and he was in a position that was a disadvantage for me. I am very disappointed to miss the derby.”