Mata: It was a professional performance

The Reds won 3-0 in our Carabao Cup third-round tie, with Juan netting our first in the opening period, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood grabbed two late goals.

It was an impressive night’s work from the Reds, and Mata in particular, who put in a superb performance against the Championship outfit.

Speaking after the game, the Spaniard admitted he is pleased to pick up a first win of the campaign following Saturday’s disappointing loss against Crystal Palace.

“It’s one of those games where, if you win you’ve done what you had to do, and if you lose it’s a mess,” he told Sky Sports.

“We did a professional job today. We didn’t concede a goal and scored three. At times, we played some good football. It’s job done tonight; it was important to win after our first game in the Premier League, which we know wasn’t good enough. Now with this victory we go to Brighton [on Saturday] better.”

United dominated much of the proceedings in Luton and produced 12 shots on targets compared with the hosts’ two.

However, with just 10 minutes remaining, and the Reds leading by just a solitary goal, goalkeeper Dean Henderson was called into action to deny Tom Lockyer’s header inside the box.

The ball looked certain to hit the back of the net until the debutant’s excellent save, which Juan felt was a huge moment in the game.

“It was very important because it was 1-0 at that moment,” the Spaniard opined. “He did a great save and someone else saved the ball on the line and I think we did fine. We attacked and defended goals.

“To be honest, we have not been training together for too long after a difficult pre-season. Now it’s important to get the rhythm back, to get the confidence and, of course, the confidence comes with results.”

With such a disrupted off-season, Mata knows the importance of getting minutes into his legs at the start of a new campaign.

Our no.8 was one of 10 players brought into the team to gain some valuable fitness, and was withdrawn with 12 minutes remaining in the League Cup clash.

“I felt fine and I think most of us, we felt okay,” he said. “We played 80 minutes without playing before this season and I think we did okay physically.

“I think, for me, it’s very important, the mind. If you are confident and you believe in what you do and you get the results, then the body will follow.”

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