Mata: Manchester United still aiming for the Champions League
The Spain international has struggled to nail down a place in the 63-year-old's starting XI at Old Trafford in 2014-15 but nonetheless praises the Dutchman's integrity
The Red Devils have picked up 16 points after 11 Premier League games, four less than they had at the same point last season under David Moyes.
Moyes was sacked in April and United went on to finish seventh in the league, 15 points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
Despite the club's underachievement on the league table, Mata maintains the team's aim is to qualify for next season's Champions League.
"The aim is to get in the Champions League because the club did not qualify last season," he told Cope.
"We'd all love to the team to score more goals but, in the end, the forwards will end up scoring more than 15 goals."
The Spain international played a full 90-minute match just three times this season and has previously been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford but scored a vital winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday after coming on as a substitute.
And Mata is pleased to be working under a manager who does not sugarcoat anything.
"He is, above all, honest. He tells you the good and bad to your face," the ex-Chelsea man added.
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been training with United since late October as he aims to regain fitness, though a contract with the club is not necessarily expected, and Mata confirmed that current No.1 David de Gea does not feel under threat for his place.
"I have spoken with Valdes. He's training with the team and we're looking forward to seeing what his plans are soon," the midfielder explained. "De Gea is not nervous."
No comments:
Post a Comment