HEART OF THE MATA
United’s Spanish star puts blunder behind him to issue a rallying cry after Terriers shocker
JUAN MATA says Manchester United must not allow their shock defeat at Huddersfieled to derail their season.
United suffered their first loss of the campaign on Saturday, leaving them five points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The Reds had not conceded in three matches before kicking off at Huddersfield yet shipped two to a side who had scored only once in their previous seven games.
Manager Jose Mourinho criticised the sloppy attitude of his players after the game, saying he had seen better focus, desire and application in pre-season friendlies.
Mourinho’s brutal assessment is known to have irked members of United’s squad, who travel to Swansea tonight in the last 16 of the League Cup.
But United midfielder Mata, hooked at half-time on Saturday after his error led to Huddersfield’s opener, said Mourinho’s men must learn from the setback.
“We knew this moment would arrive sooner or later,” said the Spanish playmaker. “Now it’s time to learn from our mistakes and show that the team sticks together when things don’t go so well.
“Since the European Super Cup defeat (against Real Madrid) we’ve been performing really well against all kind of opponents.
“On Saturday, though, Huddersfield played their cards better than us and took all three points.
“All we can do now is congratulate them and move on.
“This is a not a sprint, it’s a marathon and there is still a long way to go.
“Let’s not forget that, before that game, we had got a good win in Lisbon. We beat a very good side in Benfica, a team with plenty of Champions League experience.”
Mourinho is likely to make several changes tonight as United continue the defence of the first trophy they won under him last season.
Defender Victor Lindelof, whose calamitous error handed Huddersfield their second goal, is likely to keep his place but only because Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo are out.
A year ago United played Manchester City at this stage of the competition and won 1-0 before beating West Ham, Hull and Southampton to lift the trophy.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” said Mata, writing in his official blog. “But we will try our best to win and keep moving forward.
“There’s another big game coming up against Tottenham, one of the most difficult teams to beat, and it’s a key game for us.”