Juan Mata: Manchester United 'must deliver' against the Cobblers

Midfielder Juan Mata says Manchester United 'must deliver' in Wednesday night's EFL Cup clash at Sixfields.
Juan Mata is looking forward to Manchester United's EFL Cup clash with the CobblersJuan Mata is looking forward to Manchester United's EFL Cup clash with the Cobblers
Juan Mata is looking forward to Manchester United's EFL Cup clash with the Cobblers

Mata says the Old Trafford squad is hurting and frustrated following Sunday's 3-1 Premier League defeat at Watford, their third loss in eight days after going down to Manchester City in the league and Feyenoord in the Europa League.

And the Spanish international says he and his team-mates must react, and the best way to do that is to see off the Cobblers at a sell-out Sixfields.

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Writing in his weekly blog, Mata says United must 'respect' Northampton, but that it is a game they have to win.

"One of the best things of football is that the game is testing you all the time," said Mata.

"A win doesn’t last too long, and it happens the same way with a defeat: you have the chance to make it up soon afterwards.

"Two more games this week will give us the opportunity to show on the pitch our pride and skills. There’s no time for mourning. We must react.

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"First of all, we visit Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, in our first game of the season in this competition.

"We are the favourites in this game and we have to deliver, with all due respect to the opponent because, despite being in league one, Northampton has already knocked out a Premier League side like West Brom.

"I’m sure the stadium will be packed and they will try to make things difficult for us."

And he asked the United fans to stick with him and the team, saying: "We are still in September.

"There’s plenty of time ahead to give our best, enjoy ourselves on the pitch and make the fans enjoy too.

"It’s normal to feel disappointed right now, but there’s still a long way to go."