Since coming over from Chelsea in late January of 2014, Juan Mata has assumed a major leadership role with Manchester United. Today, he told the fans that the team is “deeply sorry” for the disastrous run of form lately.
Mata had indeed become one of the faces of the franchise these past couple years.
Last season, he wrote a blog for the official site, and this season he was a stabilizing force during the David de Gea soap opera. Mata acted as a spokesman of sorts while it was in the interests of his countryman not to speak with the media.
This season, Mata has told United fans want they want to hear (read that at this link) Now he’s telling them the things that they need to hear.
In other words, Juan Mata could have a bright future as an Ambassador or in public relations once his playing days are done.
In his weekly blog, Mata acknowledged that recent results have not been up to the club’s standard:
“We are really disappointed for not giving you what you deserve, because your support is amazing and unconditional, but I’m sure that we will turn this situation around.”
“I was confident that we were going to get the three points on Saturday in Old Trafford, but that was not the case,” said the 27-year-old.
“We are in a complicated situation and in order to get out of it we have to stick together and believe in ourselves so we can get a positive result as soon as possible.”
“We all feel frustrated, same as last week, and we need to win a game as quickly as possible because it will change our mood and give us confidence, I’m sure of that.
“Our next chance to do it will be on Boxing Day at Stoke, and that’s not an easy game.
“No matter how tough the situation can be, I’m not even thinking about giving up.
“I believe that’s the only way to get out of this bad streak — keep working hard and sooner or later we will get the results that we want.”
This followed up on Saturday, while appearing on the club’s website/video content provider MUTV, Juan Mata said this:
“We feel deeply sorry for the fans. I think they’re incredible, so we have to do better for them. Of course we’re disappointed.
“It’s another very difficult day for us, but the only thing we can do now is stick together and hope that we get the win in the next game because we need it.
“We need to win as soon as possible. It’s very frustrating not to win, especially at home. We should win at Old Trafford if we want to be successful, but we haven’t done it.”
Well said by Juan Mata, but now it’s time for action, not just talk. The Red Devils are winless in their last six matches; something that hasn’t happened in 17 years.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
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