Spanish star reveals his anger after Red Devils are held to another draw at Stoke
MANCHESTER UNITED star Juan Mata has revealed how “bitter” and “mad” he feels after his performance at Stoke.
The Spaniard had one of his worst days in a Red Devils shirt, deflecting Erik Pieters’ cross into his own net and then missing an open goal, as his side were held to a 1-1 draw.
Jose Mourinho ended his misery midway through the second half, replacing him with eventual hero and the new United record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
And speaking on his blog, Mata opened up on his feelings after the weekend: “The game left me with a bitter taste.
“Firstly, we didn’t win. We created chances to get the three points and it makes us mad to see that the ball just doesn’t go in. It’s especially frustrating when you are so unlucky as to score an own goal, when you’re trying precisely to avoid that.
“Personally, I don’t remember when was the last time that I scored an own goal, in fact I believe this is the first one.
“I know it goes with the territory. You’re trying to stop the cross, the ball gets deflected on your leg, then again on the goalkeeper and it’s a goal.
“It happens every week, this is part of the game, but when it happens to you it hurts.”
Despite his own nightmare, the 28-year-old former Chelsea star was thankful that his replacement was able to rescue them a point late on and right his name into the history books.
He added: “I want to congratulate Wayne once again.
“He’s become the top goalscorer in the history of the club, which is a huge milestone as I recently wrote, and I’m so happy for him.
"I’m sure that he will keep scoring many more goals and improving his amazing stats."
United face Hull City on Thursday in the second-leg of their EFL Cup semi-final before welcoming Championship side Wigan to Old Trafford on Sunday in the FA Cup.
They are next in Premier League action when they take on Hull again a week on Wednesday.
