Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata took responsibility for his first-half red card in the Red Devils’ defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, using his weekly blog to express regret and to urge his team-mates to move past the loss.
Manchester United’s run of good form, which saw them register four successive victories in three competitions, came to an end on Sunday. They crashed to a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, after Venezuelan forward Solomon Rondon smashed in a low shot past David de Gea from close quarters in the second half. Manchester United had been on the back foot ever since midfielder Juan Mata was sent off midway through the first half.
The Spaniard recently expressed his views on the red card, saying that it was a low point for him and that he took full responsibility.
“I have the feeling that both decisions were rigorous; that, in many occasions, we see more serious fouls that are not penalised in such a way, but at the same time I could have avoided them and I take responsibility,” wrote Mata in his blog [via goal.com].
Mata also added that he hoped this bitter defeat wouldn’t derail an otherwise resurgent Manchester United team.
“I hope this blot won’t make us forget that we were on the right track, and that we have to keep believing in ourselves to achieve the goals that are still in our minds from now until the end of the season.”
Two good records broken in one game
Manchester United had not lost at the Hawthorns for 32 years prior to the match. That record streak, which was the most imperious visiting record in the division, was snapped by Tony Pulis and his Baggies as they defeated the Red Devils at home for the first time in the Premier League era.
However, another incredible streak also came to an end on Sunday. Juan Mata has made 436 appearances in his professional career for both club and country, but this is the first time in his career that he has received a red card. Mata’s two fouls against former Manchester United player Darren Fletcher were deemed worthy enough of yellow cards by referee Mike Dean, tainting the Spaniard’s hitherto unblemished record.
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata took responsibility for his first-half red card in the Red Devils’ defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, using his weekly blog to express regret and to urge his team-mates to move past the loss.
Manchester United’s run of good form, which saw them register four successive victories in three competitions, came to an end on Sunday. They crashed to a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, after Venezuelan forward Solomon Rondon smashed in a low shot past David de Gea from close quarters in the second half. Manchester United had been on the back foot ever since midfielder Juan Mata was sent off midway through the first half.
The Spaniard recently expressed his views on the red card, saying that it was a low point for him and that he took full responsibility.
“I have the feeling that both decisions were rigorous; that, in many occasions, we see more serious fouls that are not penalised in such a way, but at the same time I could have avoided them and I take responsibility,” wrote Mata in his blog [via goal.com].
Mata also added that he hoped this bitter defeat wouldn’t derail an otherwise resurgent Manchester United team.
“I hope this blot won’t make us forget that we were on the right track, and that we have to keep believing in ourselves to achieve the goals that are still in our minds from now until the end of the season.”
Two good records broken in one game
Manchester United had not lost at the Hawthorns for 32 years prior to the match. That record streak, which was the most imperious visiting record in the division, was snapped by Tony Pulis and his Baggies as they defeated the Red Devils at home for the first time in the Premier League era.
However, another incredible streak also came to an end on Sunday. Juan Mata has made 436 appearances in his professional career for both club and country, but this is the first time in his career that he has received a red card. Mata’s two fouls against former Manchester United player Darren Fletcher were deemed worthy enough of yellow cards by referee Mike Dean, tainting the Spaniard’s hitherto unblemished record.