Juan Mata opens up about his Man United position with Alexis Sanchez
Juan Mata opens up about his position for Manchester United in pre-season
Juan Mata has insisted that he has been happy to be deployed up front alongside Alexis Sanchez during Manchester United’s pre-season tour of the United States.
The Spanish playmaker has been linking up with Sanchez up top for the Red Devils during their pre-season games as they look to get themselves into the best possible shape ahead of next season.
Mata will be hoping to hold down a regular spot in the starting line-up under Jose Mourinho next season as he bids to try and help Manchester United challenge for the Premier League title.
And the playmaker has insisted that he has been pleased to be deployed up front by Mourinho recently, even if he has admitted that it’s taking a little bit of getting used to for him.
Speaking to MUTV, Mata said: “It’s a different shape.
“I think the manager is trying to fit all the first-team squad players into the first XI and I’ve felt okay.
“It’s a system that I think is very difficult to play against and in the last two games I was playing with Alexis up front. I used to play as a striker when I was a kid in the Real Madrid Academy and I like to be in the box, so it’s fine.
“It’s been a few years since I’ve played there but I think once you’ve played in there you pick up the components and you still have them. Now I just try to play that position and try to score.”
Manchester United will be aiming to be one of the main contenders for the Premier League title next season after they finished in second place and without a trophy last term.
The Red Devils have signed Diogo Dalot, Fred and Lee Grant so far this summer as Mourinho prepares for his third season in charge of the Old Trafford outfit.
