NO LAUGHING MATA
Midfielder warns wobbling Reds to stop conceding early and chasing the game or watch Kop hitmen run riot at Anfield
JUAN MATA admits Manchester United must get their act together ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Jose Mourinho’s struggling side have gone behind in 10 of their last 15 games and conceded six times inside the first 15 minutes in the Premier League this season.
A repeat of those sluggish starts against Liverpool’s formidable attack is likely to see United suffer another defeat in a season of startling regression for Mourinho and his players.
Defeat at Anfield would see United – currently sixth and already eight points off fourth spot – fall a huge 19 points behind their arch-rivals and further undermine their already slim chances of securing a Champions League spot.
Central to United’s troubles this season has been their pattern of slow starts, something Mata admitted they must address if they are to salvage anything from such a poor domestic campaign so far.
“It seems like we always push in the last minutes, when players come off from the bench,” said the Spaniard.
“It seems like we react in the last 10 or 15 minutes and start creating more chances and getting closer and closer to score. That’s what we did in Valencia, but it wasn’t enough.
“It’s a very busy month and we have very important games coming, especially on Sunday. But I don’t think that’s an excuse.
“As a footballer, you focus on the game that you are playing and try to give your best.
“We were already qualified, but it was still a Champions League game against a good team. Obviously, they wanted to show that they can beat a club like Manchester United and they’re not in a very good position in the league either.
“I know it’s difficult, but we have to keep going, especially with what we have coming on Sunday – we need to be ready for that.
“It’s time to focus on the Premier League for some weeks and months now, then see who we play against in the next round of the Champions League and try to play well in both games.” Mourinho talked recently of the Premier League’s “big six”, confidently predicting United would retain their place in that group, but the reality is they have already been cut adrift by Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal.
United now find themselves grubbing around, with all due respect, the likes of Everton and Bournemouth, while Leicester, Wolves, West Ham, Watford and Brighton are all within a handful of points, with the halfway stage of the season approaching. In simple terms, it has been a calamitous start to the season for last season’s runnersup, with few signs of it getting any better, despite last weekend’s 4-1 win over bottom club Fulham. Key players have underperformed, notably £89million record signing Paul Pogba, who was wretched on his return to the starting line-up in Wednesday’s abject 2-1 defeat at Valencia, and last season’s top scorer, Romelu Lukaku (left), who seems devoid of any confidence.
With nine players injured, Mourinho’s problems are piling up and the pressure on the beleaguered United boss is intensifying with every defeat and poor display.
Mourinho escaped the sack in early October, after United came from 2-0 down to beat Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford.
But there has been little since then to convince the Old Trafford hierarchy that he is the man to take them forward long-term.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains United’s first choice to replace Mourinho, his impressive work at Tottenham marking him as the stand-out candidate to take the Reds back to the top.
For now, though, United limp on with Mourinho still at the helm. Although a heavy defeat on Sunday would further undermine his already weakened standing.