Juan Mata insists Manchester United are fully focused on dispatching Cambridge United in their FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday.
Louis van Gaal’s side bounced-back from their disappointing stalemate at the League Two outfit with a convincing 3-1 Premier League victory over Leicester City at the weekend.
And Mata, who has been pulling the strings at the heart of United’s attack, is adamant that the Reds won’t be underestimating their lower-league visitors.
“We want to make it to the next round and we are absolutely focused on that because the team is very excited about this competition,” the Spaniard wrote in his blog.
“Against Leicester, we were able to take our good chances in the first half and that allowed us to enjoy the game more than other weeks, but we won’t relax.
“In sport, having respect for your opponent is a must. That is something we are aware of ahead of our game against Cambridge. Not long ago, they proved to be a tough rival.”
Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher’s long stint at United came to an end after the experienced midfielder signed for West Brom on a free transfer.
The 31-year-old, who made his Old Trafford debut in 2003 and was at the heart of many title and cup-winning United line-ups, has joined Tony Pulis’ side on a two-and-a-half-year-deal.
And the Scottish international, who has made 12 appearances so far this term, was delighted to have sealed his switch to the Hawthorns.
“It feels great and this a fantastic new challenge for me in my career,” Fletcher, who saw a move to West Ham fail to materialise earlier in the window, told his new club’s official site.
“I’ve spent my career at Manchester United and it’s all I’ve ever known, but I felt it was the right time to move and I’m not sentimental about doing that.”
Another player to leave United permanently on deadline day was Wilfried Zaha, who has joined Crystal Palace in a £3million deal.
The winger originally joined United from Palace in January 2013, remaining at the then Championship team until the following summer.
He made just two first-team starts in 2013/14 before returning to Selhurst Park on loan last summer, and the 22-year-old has now made the switch to Alan Pardew’s side permanent.
Marnick Vermijl and Jesse Lingard also left Old Trafford, while young Bolton defender Andy Kellett was drafted in on loan, with Saidy Janko going in the opposite direction.
Main image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
