Mata: The players at Manchester United feel sorry for the fans
The Spaniard believes the Old Trafford faithful deserve better than they are getting at the moment, with Daley Blind adding it is crucial for everyone to stay united now
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has apologised to the fans after another poor team performance in their shock 2-1 defeat to Norwich City on Saturday.
Goals from Cameron Jerome and Alex Tettey inflicted on Louis van Gaal's side their first home defeat in the Premier League this season, and their third consecutive loss in all competitions.
Anthony Martial scored Manchester United's consolation but it meant little to the Old Trafford faithful who were irate after watching their team go winless in six matches.
Speaking to MUTV after a result that sees them fall nine points off the pace at the top of the Premier League, Mata could only apologise: "We feel deeply sorry for the fans.
"I think they’re incredible, so we have to do better for them. Of course we’re disappointed. It's another very difficult day for us, but the only thing we can do now is stick together and hope that we get the win in the next game because we need it.
"We need to win as soon as possible. It’s very frustrating not to win, especially at home. We should win at Old Trafford if we want to be successful, but we haven’t done it."
With four games in the next two weeks, Mata said United desperately need to fix their form.
"That’s football. You can’t enjoy it a lot even when you’re winning games because you have another one coming up straight away," the Spaniard continued.
"That’s how we have to think after losing also, we have to try to be positive. As always, I think everyone is trying their best, but things are not working.
"We obviously need to win soon, but especially now that we have a lot of games in a short period of time."
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Mata's team-mate Daley Blind revealed the players still felt the support of the fans, and insisted they are doing their utmost to reverse the team's fortunes.
"We’re working hard out on the training ground on every aspect of the game. We must stick together as a team and work hard to improve. I believe we’ll come good doing it this way," the Netherlands international said.
"It’s important for us that the fans are standing behind us. We feel that support out on the pitch and it’s important that we stick together. We have the best fans in the world."
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