Manchester United record signing Juan Mata has announced that he intends to win the Premier League at Old Trafford ahead of tonight’s clash with Cardiff City.
The Spaniard – brought in at the weekend for £37.1million – was allowed to leave Chelsea after becoming a peripheral figure in West London.
Having already started training Mata is expected to make his debut against Cardiff at Old Trafford and the playmaker refuses to be discouraged by the 14-point gap between United and league summit.
“I would like to win the Premier League,” said Mata in an interview with MUTV.
“It’s a very, very special trophy and I think at this club you can achieve anything. I am young and I have been lucky enough to win some trophies, but I want to win a lot more.
The 25-year-old also refused to be bowed by the expectation that comes with joining a club that aims to win silverware every year.
“I like the pressure,” he said. “I think it’s good to try and improve when you have pressure. People are expecting big things from me and I’m looking forward to trying to do that and make all these amazing fans happy.”
The Spanish-international collected two consecutive club Player of the Year awards since arriving at Chelsea from Valencia in 2011.
While Mata may have found himself on the periphery at Chelsea he is expected to slot straight into the United side with Moyes saying that he will be deployed in a variety of positions.
With United struggling to score goals – netting just six times in their past five games – the hope is that Mata will provide a creative spark that can propel the Reds into Champions League contention.
And, although Wayne Rooney is currently side-lined with a groin injury, United’s newest signing is looking forward to teaming up with the talismanic striker.
“I can’t wait to play alongside him,” said Mata. “For me he’s one of the best players in the history of this country. He’s a striker who can score, assist and come into midfield to take the ball. I will enjoy it.
“For me he’s an unbelievable player and I will try to connect with him as much as possible and find the gaps in rival defences. I think that’s my best style of play, to get into positions where I can assist the strikers.”
United will hope to improve on their previous showing against Cardiff after surrendering two points in the dying seconds in South Wales – the first time the teams had met since 1975.
Tonight’s match will also mark the return of Old Trafford favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who replaced Malky Mackay as the Bluebirds’ manager earlier this month.
Image courtesy of thesportreview, with thanks
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