MY ACCOUNT
Juan Mata has called for a reset at Manchester United as he suggested any player who does not meet the standards should not be at Old Trafford.
United have suffered another dismal season and, regardless of the result in their final game at Crystal Palace on Sunday, will finish the campaign with their lowest points tally in Premier League history.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was dismissed in late November before the short-term appointment of Ralf Rangnick, who will leave with the lowest win rate of any United manager in Premier League history (currently 43.5 per cent – 10 wins from 23 games).
Erik ten Hag is the next man tasked with transforming United’s fortunes, and midfielder Mata urged improvements from his side next term as questions persist over the players’ commitment and attitude.
“It’s clear that on the pitch, we have made many mistakes,” Mata told The Athletic. “We could have also dealt better with certain situations that were happening in the club, managers changing, negative things.
“At the end of the day, we let that maybe affect too much the energy of Carrington.
“Certain standards were not met. Whether that’s attitude, level of training, off the pitch, which doesn’t include players, we haven’t been good enough. So that’s where we could learn.
“Also, certain things were out of our control, which we shouldn’t let affect us. You feel that way when you see certain things are not good enough. But we shouldn’t have let things happen.
“Many circumstances can affect certain behaviours. If you don’t have a solid base, when bad things come, it is difficult to stay all together.
“We need a reset in the culture of the club. That’s how I feel. The standards, what it means to represent this club to any player, what entitles you to play for Manchester United, what is expected on the pitch and off the pitch.
“Many things that need to be clear – this is Manchester United and anyone who doesn’t meet those standards is not up to the task and should not be here. That’s as clear as I can be.”
United require victory over Palace to guarantee they do not drop to seventh, which would mark their joint-worst finish in the Premier League (alongside the 2013-14 season) and see them play Europa Conference League football next term.
Cristiano Ronaldo will look to add to his 18 Premier League goals this season, only netting more in a single campaign in 2007-08 (31), while goalkeeper David de Gea will aim to end a positive season on a personal level on a high note.
De Gea implored United to perform for the fans when they visit Palace, who have never won in 12 Premier League home games against the Red Devils (D4 L8), which is the most one team has faced another at home without ever winning in the competition.
“We know [this season has] been difficult,” he told MUTV. “But at least just for [the fans] and for our pride [we will] try to win the game.
“[I want to] at least give a win for the fans because they have been absolutely amazing for the whole season and it’s great to have them at every single game.
“It will always have been a tough season for us, but I am very proud of my season, to be honest.
“I worked really hard in the summer to be here and be ready to play and show my qualities for the team. I think I did very well. I played very consistent this season and helped the team a lot.”
