Rom’s return to form just a Mata of time
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Mata wants title win at United £75million Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, is a former Chelsea player returning to Stamford Bridge today. Lukaku (below) has failed to score in his last six United appearances and was not trusted by manager Jose Mourinho to take a penalty in the midweek Champions League win against Benfica.
But Mata said: “Rom’s a good man and I have no worries. Obviously he wants to score because he’s a striker and when they manage that it helps their confidence.
“I don’t see him, though, as the kind of person who will be angry if the team wins and he doesn’t score. He’s a very good guy and we’re very happy with him, even if he doesn’t score. “And it’s only a matter of time before he does, anyway. I am sure he will score soon. It has happened the same way with Alvaro Morata at Chelsea, too. “He was scoring a lot and now he’s not. Strikers have these difficult moments. But especially in Rom, I see someone very strong and I know it will not affect him. And even though he’s not been scoring, don’t forget that he’s been creating a lot.
“He has been playing at a high level since he was very, very young. We were at Chelsea together – he was only 18 or 19 when he was there and had already been scoring goals in Belgium.
“So it will not be a problem for him – he’s got a positive character, he’s an energetic character and all that helps him.” Mata added: “Rom and Nemanja will cope – obviously.
“When I went back it was only a few months after I had left and it was special seeing all my ex-team-mates and people at the club I had a relationship with. “But once you’re on the pitch, you forget about that and do your best. I believe Romelu and Nemanja will manage fine.
“They will focus – and it’ll be the same for me. It will always be a special day for me because I had so many good times at Stamford Bridge.” PAUL HETHERINGTON