Mata pleased with positive start

Juan Mata has stressed the importance of Manchester United building on their win over Bournemouth when they host Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

Just a week after he was taken off as a substitute in United's Community Shield defeat of Leicester, Mata scored his side's opening goal in the 40th minute of their 3-1 victory at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Despite selling him during his time at Chelsea, manager Jose Mourinho insists Mata has a future at Old Trafford and the Spaniard is looking forward to a good season under the new manager after a positive start to the campaign.

"Eight days ago we won the Community Shield against Leicester at Wembley and this title makes us feel optimistic. From a personal point of view, I keep believing that Wembley is a special place. I had never won this trophy before, so now I can check it off my list," Mata wrote in his weekly blog.

"Beyond this first trophy, it was important to have a positive start in the Premiership against Bournemouth, a team that had a good last season. We did it, and overall I think the whole team played a very complete game. I believe our victory was well deserved and, on top of that, I was lucky to score the first goal of the game, which is always an extra reason to be happy.

"Anyway, we know this is just one game. As from now we are focused on the next one because it’s coming soon, on Friday, and against Southampton, a solid team with my friend Oriol Romeu in the squad.

"They were sixth last season and I’m sure they will try to finish this one in a better place. It’s going to be the first official game in Old Trafford this season so I don’t need to tell you how important it is for us to play a nice game, in return to the excitement we see in our fans now that a new football year is on."

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