Manchester United star Juan Mata opens up about his ‘tough’ return to Chelsea
Spaniard eyes giving fans the win 'they deserve' against Man City in EFL Cup after humiliation
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JUAN MATA has opened up about his “tough” return to Chelsea and how he hopes to give the Manchester United fans the win they “deserve” against rivals City.
The Red Devils were thumped at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the Blues triumphed 4-0.
All the headlines focused on Jose Mourinho’s returning to his former stomping ground, but Spanish attacker Mata was also revisiting his ex-employers.
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The 28-year-old came off the bench against the Chelsea, a club he was twice voted player of the year during his three years at, but was unable to stop the rot against Antonio Conte’s men.
And in his weekly blog, the diminutive attacker reflected on his disappointing return.
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Mata wrote: “I’ll be honest: it’s been a tough day, with a final score that hurts, and this isn’t the best time to write these lines.
“Things got complicated since the first minute. By conceding an early goal the game we had in mind changed completely, and from that moment we weren’t able to come back. Chelsea had a much better start than us and we paid dearly for it.”
United have an ideal chance to help erase the memory of their Chelsea heartache when they meet neighbours Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
After the humiliating defeat in the capital, Mata called on the fans to stay behind him and his team-mates as they strive to repay them with a victory over their local rivals.
Mata added: “We must carry on. Luckily, in three days we have a very important fixture, and as from now we must focus on this new opportunity to get better.
“It sounds like a cliché but it’s true: when we win and everybody praises you it’s easy to be united and celebrate together, but it is now, after such a defeat, when we must remain mentally strong and keep going. Together we win and together we lose.
“Thank you so much to the fans that came to London, you didn’t stop cheering us on through the 90 minutes, even when things became so difficult, you guys are amazing; and also to the Chelsea fans, for they always show me their respect and affection.
“We hope to give you the win that you deserve this coming Wednesday.”