Mata: Man Utd must react to third straight defeat

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata insists that, after a third straight defeat, there is no time for the Red Devils to lick their wounds, they “must react”.

Juan Mata has determinedly claimed that his Manchester United team mates should no lick their wounds after suffering three defeats in a row – the latest of which came against Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

In his weekly blog on United’s official website, Mata says that the team “must react” in order to get their season back on track.

Mata was named as a substitute in the Red Devils 3-1 defeat to Watford on Sunday. He did, however, the Spaniard came off the bench in the second half, but was unable to prevent José Mourinho’s men being pummelled by the flying Hornets.

The defeat at Vicarage Road was United’s third in a row – making it the first time Mourinho has suffered three successive defeats since he was FC Porto manager in 2002 – having lost 2-1 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City nine days ago, before falling 1-0 to Feyenoord in a mid-week Europa League tie in Rotterdam.

The Red Devils now face a trip to take on Northampton in the League Cup before hosting Premier League champions Leicester City at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

United will be desperate to secure all three points against the reigning champions in order to get their own title challenge back on track.