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| United’s record signing poised for debut Posted: 27 Jan 2014 11:45 PM PST
As Ole returns as a visitor, there are few doubts that he’ll be greeted to a raucous reception for Old Trafford does not forget his heroes – unless they wash up on Merseyside and kiss the Liverpool badge, that is – and the Norwegian, for his dedication to the club first and foremost, deserves a hero welcome.
Ole’s reception, however, is likely to be eclipsed by the one that will welcome the announcement of Juan Mata’s name, were United’s club record signing to start or be included on the bench tonight, after completing his £37.1m move from Chelsea and being unveiled as Manchester United player on Monday. Among the excitement that surrounded the Spaniard’s arrival – which, by the way, was totally justified, given the shambolic transfer windows we had grown used to over the last couple of years – one could be forgiven for thinking that Cardiff will be nothing more of a formality for United. Unfortunately, while securing Mata’s services has undoubtedly lifted the fans and players’ morale alike, it is now time for United to translate the feel-good factor onto the pitch, six days on from the gutless performance that saw United bow out from the Capital One Cup at the penultimate stage. With two defeats in the last three league games the onus is on United to deliver, particularly given that Cardiff – who have usurped Sunderland’s tag of “United elsewhere”, given that Ole Solskjaer can count on Magnus Eikrem, Mats Moeller Daehli, Wilfried Zaha and Fabio – languish at the bottom of the table, having lost five of their last six league encounters. The Bluebirds – or red dragons, according to that absolute numpty of an owner that rules over them – are however just a point away from safety and created plenty of problems to United back in Wales, when the Reds surrendered a late equaliser and threw away two points. With Liverpool and Everton going head to head in the Merseyside derby – remember to turn the volume down on your TV sets, if you don’t want to have your eardrums lacerated by thousands of highly-pitched scousers screaming at each other – and Spurs hosting City tomorrow, United have the opportunity to close the gap that separates them from fourth place. To do so, however, United will have to shake off the fear that crippled them since the turn of the year, when the Reds already poor form has turned even worse, inducing many people to die in their sleep as they were treated to the 5468th sideways pass between Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley. Mata’s arrival is likely to shake things up, with the Spaniard in line for a first start, while Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Marouane Fellaini have also all returned to training. Were Mata to make his Manchester United debut, it’ll be interesting to see where David Moyes will deploy him – in the hole behind the main striker, or alongside Rooney and Januzaj in a trio full of creativity and guile behind either Robin Van Persie or Danny Welbeck? With Michael Carrick out, Tom Cleverley, Ryan Giggs, Darren Flecther and Phil Jones are in contention for two spots in midfield, given Fellaini might not be immediately risked from the start, while Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are expected to continue as centre-back partnership. United have got the off-pitch lift they so desperately needed, here’s hoping they’ll now finally deliver the goods on it. |
| Special Juan relishes Rooney partnership Posted: 27 Jan 2014 07:15 AM PST
Mata, who will wear the number 8 shirt following the path of illustrious predecessors such as Paul Ince, Nicky Butt and, ehm, Anderson, admitted he was eager to get going at Manchester United and that the move was “really important” as far as his chances of making Spain’s World Cup squad were concerned.
“I think no.8 is a great number,” said Mata as he spoke to the press for the first time since joining United from Chelsea on Saturday. “I like the number. I know 7 is iconic here. I was speaking with David [Moyes] about it and we decided 8 is a good number for me. Hopefully it will bring me luck.” Speaking of the pressure that will face him, now that he’s become United’s most expensive signing ever, as the club shelled out £37.1m for his services, the Spaniard was confident that he’ll meet the expectations and deliver for his new team. “I love the pressure,” said the 25-year-old. “When people are suspecting big things from you then it’s a challenge but I am looking forward to being successful. “This is a massive club. I’ve realised that since I came here and I’m really glad to be here. This is the club that has won the most trophies and it’s down to me to show people the football I have inside of me.” The former Chelsea player, who was named player of the season in both campaign he spent in South West London, revealed that he relishes playing alongside Wayne Rooney, now that the United striker looks destined to stay at Old Trafford, rather than replace Mata at Stamford Bridge. “I will play anywhere the manager wants me to. I just want to help the team win as many games as they can,” said Mata, who then praised his new team-mate. “For me he [Rooney] is one of the best players in the history of this country. He is unbelievable, he can score and he can assist. “I will try to connect with him as much as I can. I will try to find the gaps in defences, try to be in the positions I have to be in to assist the strikers.” The Spaniard admitted that United’s reputation for not overcoming difficult situations and facing challenges was as much of a lure as the size of the club and Mata believes United can still win the league this season. “It’s a new challenge for me,” Mata said. “This one was a massive challenge for me. “What I like the most about this club is the character. I think if another club were in this position in the league, I think it would be very difficult to come back and take first position, but this club can do it. “This is the real image I have from Man United, always fighting to win titles, always coming back from difficult moments. “The team is really good, the squad is really good. This season they have had some unlucky moments they didn’t deserve. Hopefully from now until the end of the season we will win as many games as we can.” Meanwhile, David Moyes cut a relieved figure standing by his record signing, but the United manager revealed that Mata was the start of a major overhaul, rather than the end of United’s business in the transfer window. “I am thrilled, I got wind a month or two ago it could be possible but I never thought we would pull it off,” said the United manager. “When we got the sniff there was a chance Juan could be available we went after it right away. Congratulations to the club and [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward for getting the deal done. There will be more players like Juan in the future, I’ve no doubt about that.” |
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