Mata: Manchester United can still secure top-four finish

Despite being 11 points behind Liverpool, who are currently in pole position to claim Champions League football, the Spaniard still believes they can overhaul the Anfield outfit.

 

Manchester United's record signing Juan Mata is still hopeful the club can finish in the top four and qualify for next season's Champions League.

The Spain international arrived at Old Trafford in a £37.1million deal from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January and has had an immediate impact, assisting goals in three of his first four league outings for the Red Devils.

Rooney calls for patience with Mata

The England international was encouraged by the Red Devils' performance in the draw at Arsenal and expects his new team-mate to become a huge player for the club once settled.


Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney believes record signing Juan Mata will need time to settle at Old Trafford.

Mata has started four games since making the move from Premier League rivals Chelsea but has tasted victory for his new side only once.

In the middle of what has been a rocky season for the champions under the stewardship of David Moyes, Rooney has been impressed by the Spaniard.

Mata: I will play anywhere for Man Utd

The club-record signing has played all across midfield in his short spell with the champions, and insists he remains happy to have joined a "very, very big club"

 

Juan Mata has insisted he is happy to play anywhere for Manchester United and remains glad he moved to the club in January.

The Spaniard has ended on the winning team just once since joined the club in a £37.1 million move in January, filling a number of roles in his short stint at Old Trafford.

David Moyes has already utilised Mata on either flank, as well as in behind a main striker, but the 25-year-old is only interested in where he can best help the team's cause.

Moyes pleased with Manchester United 'control' against Arsenal

Robin van Persie wasted the Red Devils' best opportunity in the first 90 seconds, but both sides struggled to put their stamp on the fixture and appeared to be happy with a point.

 

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes his side were in control of the goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Robin van Persie had the best two chances for United, but fired tamely at Wojciech Szczesny in the first 90 seconds and then saw his strong header well saved by the Pole late on.

Tom Cleverly: Training trip will help us

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley hopes that the Reds' warm-weather training trip will reinvigorate the team ahead of the season run-in.

The England international was a crucial cog in the United side that earned a 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Wednesday, and the squad is jetting off to the Middle East for a few days at a training camp.
"We'll go away now and have a good five days of warm-weather training which will bring us together and hopefully do us good for the run-in," Cleverley told ManUtd.com
"Warm-weather training is good for fitness as well as team bonding and the team spirit you get from having all the lads together. We did it last year and it really helped us - hopefully it'll have the same effect this time."

David Moyes praises center backs

David Moyes praised centre-backs old and young after his Manchester United side recorded a competitive goalless draw with Arsenal in north London.

Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling started in the middle and impressed as a partnership until an injury to Rafael forced the latter out wide, allowing substitute Rio Ferdinand to make his first appearance since the FA Cup defeat to Swansea City on 5 January.
Speaking to the media after the final whistle, the boss saluted his impressive centre-backs and explained why their attitudes to playing are representative of his entire squad.
"There were a lot of good things," the boss said. "We defended very well. Rio came on at half-time and was fantastic. It is never easy coming on in a game like that and getting up to the tempo but he played really well. Chris Smalling was excellent as well.

"I believe the desire is still there in the squad. I see them and they are great lads. They are fantastic with their training and their commitment is first class. You saw how good Vida was and how good Rio was when he came on.

"They are a great group of players and a very experienced group. They have been winners, all of them. They all have medals and when you have won you want to win more. And they are all still hungry and determined to be successful."

Report: Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Clear-cut chances were at a premium on Wednesday as Manchester United recorded a competitive goalless draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The match started at a fair pace and Robin van Persie should have scored against his former club in the second minute when his scuffed shot was easily saved by Wojciech Szczesny. Not to be outdone, the Gunners then went close through Olivier Giroud, whose header flew just wide of the back post.
Playing on the left, Juan Mata began quietly but showed a glimpse of his immeasurable ability when a wonderful through-ball led to Van Persie firing a right-footed shot wide in the 19th minute. Moments later, Giroud gave everyone a sense of déjà vu as he nodded away from David De Gea’s goal for the second time. The French striker then collided with Rafael, who fell awkwardly on his shoulder and was replaced at the break by Rio Ferdinand.

Arsenal-Manchester United Preview

Arsene Wenger will be demanding a response from his team after their 5-1 loss at Anfield, while the Red Devils will be hoping to erase all memory of a desperate draw with Fulham.

 
David Moyes's tactical acumen will be closely scrutinised when Manchester United take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The Scot is facing mounting calls to change the Red Devils' attacking approach following the disappointment of being held to a 2-2 draw against the Premier League's bottom side, Fulham, at Old Trafford on Sunday.

United made more crosses (81) in a single game than any other team since the start of the 2006-07 season during the Fulham encounter, but were left to rue their wastefulness in the final third.