Juan Mata hoping to create another Anfield memory for Manchester United fans

Mata scored a stunning bicycle kick in a 2-1 win for United at Anfield in 2015
Getty Images

Manchester United fans still stop Juan Mata in the street to talk about the day he silenced Anfield.

The Spanish playmaker would love to put a dent in Liverpool’s relentless march towards the Premier League title on Sunday. But he is adamant United cannot allow themselves to get hung up on their fiercest rivals as they plot their way back to the summit of English football.

Mata has enjoyed a purple patch in recent weeks, which was crowned with his winning goal against Wolves in the FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday.

It has put him in contention to start against Jurgen Klopp’s champions-elect, when thoughts will immediately turn back to 2015, when he scored both goals in a 2-1 win for United – including a spectacular bicycle kick.

It was a moment that has assured him eternal cult status among supporters.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

“I guess it’s difficult, if you score at Anfield, for United fans to forget about that,” said the 31-year-old. “It was a very special day for all of us, for me personally.

“Scoring two goals at Anfield is always going to be very special and it was always going to be remembered, like the fans remember the Diego Forlan goal or the John O’Shea one at Anfield.

“So it’s a memory that I cherish, but you have to move on and luckily I’ve also scored other goals. It’s not just those two. But it’s always special for the fans.”

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Unfortunately for United fans, they’ve been left behind by rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

Having watched as the blue half of Manchester dominated the last decade, Liverpool have started the 2020s on top of the world.

Klopp’s side already have the Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup safely tucked up at Anfield.

AFP via Getty Images

Now they are virtual certainties to end their 30-year wait for the title - but Mata doesn’t want to waste his energy looking on with envy.

“I think it’s thinking about us and thinking about where we should be or how we can be better and how we should be fighting for the trophies I think this club should be fighting for,” he said.

“Of course, over recent years, Manchester City and Liverpool have been doing very well, and that’s a fact, but as a player I always say the same, which is it’s a special feeling to be playing for this club, in the good moments, but also in the difficult moments.

“This club has won more leagues in the country and, as I always say also, when you have been here for a few years and you have won some trophies, you still have this desire of winning very big trophies with the club. That will make everything worth it, because of the amount of fans we have and the history we have.

“Of course, we want to be in a different position, and personally I will do my bit and give my best to get the club to where I believe it deserves to be.

(Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United via Getty Imag

“I think the motivation has to be inner motivation from us. When you play for this club, you have to be motivated to play every single game and fighting for every trophy we can play for.

“So I think that’s the way the manager thinks too, which is focusing on ourselves and trying to improve ourselves. Obviously, if someone is doing very well, okay, but I would prefer to motivate myself and ourselves from within, which I think is better in the long-term.”

United are the only team to halt Liverpool’s otherwise perfect League campaign, holding them to a 1-1 draw in October.

Mata believes they can take more points from the runaway leaders on Sunday.

“We know if we perform at our best level, we can compete with them, like we did at Old Trafford, when they got only one point,” he said.

“It’s a very special game for us, for all of the Manchester United fans and everyone in the club. So a big weekend ahead and hopefully we can bring with us this good moment of good football and results.

“We always try to make our fans happy. Sometimes we don’t play good and when that happens they’re understandably not happy, but if we win on Sunday, of course I think they will be very happy.”

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