Juan Mata reveals real reason Man Utd do not fear Barcelona - Champions League EXCLUSIVE - 7M sport

Juan Mata reveals real reason Man Utd do not fear Barcelona - Champions League EXCLUSIVE

JUAN MATA insists Manchester United do not fear Barcelona.


Posted Tuesday, April 09, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

When the Old Trafford club were drawn against the La Liga giants, many believed the quarter-final tie which kicks off tomorrow night would be the end of their Champions League run.

That is despite their dramatic win over French champions PSG in the last-16 when they came from behind to book their place in the next round.

But Mata insists that was far from the feeling inside the United dressing room.

Instead, the United ace believes this is a game that any player would relish.

"We are Manchester United and we are representing one of the biggest clubs in the world," said the Spanish midfielder.

"Fear is not the word. Respect is the word.

"We also have to trust ourselves and know that if we have a good day we can give them a game.

"That is what is in our minds to try to do it well and fight for our fans and our club.

"Barcelona is a fantastic team, one of the best teams in the world.

Juan Mata reveals real reason Man Utd do not fear Barcelona - Champions League EXCLUSIVE
Juan Mata insists Man Utd do not fear Barcelona (Pic: GETTY)

"We are really looking forward to having a good round and hopefully qualify.

"Obviously they are in a good moment and they are top of the table in Spain but we are confident that we are Manchester United and we can have good two games and we can qualify.

"It's those games that you are a football player for.

"You want the important games on the biggest stage which is Old Trafford, Champions league quarter-final so we are looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be good for us."

Mata was speaking last week at Classic Football Shirts, the popular Manchester shop that sells iconic strips of the past.

Juan Mata reveals real reason Man Utd do not fear Barcelona - Champions League EXCLUSIVE
Juan Mata was speaking last week at Classic Football Shirts (Pic: CLASSIC FOOTBALL SHIRTS)

CFS is donating 1 per cent of its sales over the next two months to the Common Goal charity that Mata is a figurehead for and has raised around £800,000 in its first 18 months.

The United ace, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, is surrounded by shirts of United greats from all teams including the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it is another European Cup winner that is inspiring United's unlikely push for glory in this season's Champions League in Treble winner and now manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"You know what I will highlight from him that all of the time I have been with him, it is not long but maybe three or four months, he is a great man," said Mata.

"He is a legend at the club, he has been here as a player for many years, scored important goals and he has done so well since he came as a manager.

"He is loved by the fans, and all we can do is players is support him and give our best on the pitch."



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