Mata sounds alarm call for Jose’s slow starters
JUAN MATA admits that 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 to forget for Mourinho and his players.
Defeat at Anfield would see United – currently sixth and eight points off fourth spot – fall a staggering 19 points behind their arch rivals and further undermine their slim chances of securing a Champions League spot.
United’s latest setback was a 2-1 defeat in Europe to Valencia.
React
“It seems like we always push in the last minutes, when players come off from the bench,” said Mata.
“We seem like we react in the last 10 or 15 minutes and start creating more chances and getting closer and closer to scoring. 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 football player, 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 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 got coming on Sunday. We need to be ready.
“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 and try to play well in both games.”
Mourinho talked recently of the Premier League’s ‘big six’, confidently predicting United will retain their place in that group.
The reality is they have been cut adrift by Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal.
United find themselves battling with Everton and Bournemouth.
And Leicester, Wolves, West Ham, Watford and Brighton are all within a handful of points, with the halfway stage of the season approaching.
It has been a calamitous start to the campaign for last season’s runners-up, with few signs of it getting any better, despite last weekend’s 4-1 win over bottom club Fulham.
Key players have under-performed – notably £89m record-signing Paul Pogba, who was wretched on his return to the starting line-up against Valencia on Wednesday,.
And last season’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku seems devoid of any confidence.
With nine players currently injured, Mourinho’s problems are piling up and the pressure on the beleaguered United boss is intensifying with every defeat and poor display.
The Red Devils’ boss 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 club’s hierarchy he is the man to take them forward long-term.
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino remains United’s first-choice to replace him, with his impressive work at Tottenham marking him out as the stand-out candidate to take United back to the top.
For now, though, United limp on with Mourinho at the helm, although a heavy defeat on Sunday would further undermine his weakened standing.