THIS JUAN REALLY MATAS
Spanish star is confident United can be champions
JUAN MATA says Premier League leaders Manchester United believe they can go all the way and win the title.
Jose Mourinho’s side top the table with three wins from three and have yet to concede a goal.
United travel to the Potteries on Saturday, where they have failed to win in the four seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down.
Mata knows United will be in for a stern test at Stoke, who have already beaten Arsenal this season, but said they have their swagger back after a disappointing sixth-placed finish last term.
“The belief is always there,” said Mata. “When you play for such a club you start every competition believing that you can win it.
“Some bad games didn’t allow us to win it last year, but we need to find that consistency that can make us fight in the last months and be one of those teams up there. It’s the second year for the manager, he knows everyone better, we know each other better, so let’s try.
“We’re really pleased with our start, but it’s only a start. We’ve won three games with confidence and good football.
“But there’s still a lot to play for. Stoke is going to be tough, but we’re confident and the team is strong, mentally and physically.”
United return to the Champions League on Tuesday with their opening Group A game against Basel at Old Trafford. Mata won the tournament with Chelsea in 2012 and said United must find consistency if they are to have a chance of emulating that feat.
“We have an ambition to try to win it, but obviously the Champions League is the best competition you can play in Europe and it’s very difficult to win,” he added.
“In these competitions you need some luck and maybe sometimes you are the better team and you don’t win. The main thing for us as a club is to find that consistency that keeps us fighting for the trophy.”
The Spain midfielder was speaking at Soccerex in Manchester, promoting his Common Goal project, where he and other players pledge one per cent of their salaries to help football-related charities.
“We’re trying to help as many people as we can through football,” said Mata, who revealed some of his United team-mates are ready to join him, along with boss Mourinho.
“It makes sense because football is a big force for unity and for good in the world.
“The response has been good at United. We’re human beings and we react in different ways, but everyone understands what we’re trying to do.
“Sometimes footballers can have a bad reputation, but there are great people in football.”
For more info on Mata’s Common Goal, go to www. common-goal. org
Jose Mourinho hasn’t been on the winning side in any of his last four clashes against Stoke (D3 L1), with one of those draws in the League Cup in October 2015 which his Chelsea side lost 5-4 on penalties.
Mourinho has lost his fourth league match of the season in four of the last five seasons (W1), with his first defeat as Manchester United boss coming on the fourth Premier League matchday against Man City last season.
Mark Hughes is unbeaten in his last three league meetings with Jose Mourinho (W1 D2). The only manager to have gone four or more games in a row unbeaten against the Portuguese boss in the Premier League is Ronald Koeman (five in a row).