HOME FRONT KEY FOR MATA

IT wasn’t that long ago teams made the journey to Old Trafford in fear of what lay in wait for them.

Alex Ferguson created a mystique about the stadium, where the legend grew over his many years of opposition players being beaten in the tunnel before even setting foot on the pitch.

But the mask of invincibility has slipped over the last five years with no title wins, their longest league drought since the Premier League began.

That slide has not only continued this season, with United languishing in seventh, 14 points off the top, but it has seen an alarming fall in success at home.

Three wins in nine Old Trafford games this season has prompted midfielder Juan Mata to demand the Reds must make Old Trafford a fortress again.

United have scored just 10 times in those nine matches and have a negative goal difference at Old Trafford.

They were formidable at home last season, winning 21 of their 26 matches as Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal were all beaten.

Mata (above) claims they must make opponents fear coming to Old Trafford again ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Young Boys.

“It’s really key for us to make Old Trafford a fortress, to make it very difficult for our rivals,” said the Spanish playmaker.

“When they come to Old Trafford, ideally they will feel that it is very difficult to play here.

“We should think about doing that and about playing very well and very intense from the beginning.

“We have a run of home games now and need to try and win all of them.

“It’s our home and hopefully we can have good results in the weeks ahead.”