David Moyes says Juan Mata can be Manchester United’s great inspiration as he urged his side to win all 16 Premier League games to finish in the top four.
The arrival of the Spain star in a £37.1million (Dh192m) deal from Chelsea has lifted the beleaguered Old Trafford outfit.
Champions in the last campaign, United are currently seventh and out of the FA Cup and League Cup. But Moyes, who could also have Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie returning alongside debutant Mata against Cardiff tonight, said: “I have been without Wayne for about a month, Robin for two months and I think if I’d had Juan in that period, I’d more than likely have had better results.
“I’ve seen the players in the last 24 hours since his arrival, and one or two of them have said to me ‘what a great signing and we can’t wait to play with him’. What his signing will do is help improve results.
“I am disappointed we are not in a much stronger position, I am disappointed with how we have played. I, ultimately, take the rap for that. But what I will do is make it right.
“We’re probably going to have to win all of our remaining games [to finish in the top four], but the only way you can start that kind of run is by winning the next one and hopefully Juan can help us do that.”
Mata will wear the No8 shirt after rejecting the No7 worn by legends like George Best, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo. And he said: “What I like most about this club is the character. If another club was in this position in the league it would be very, very difficult for them to come back and to take first.
“This club can do it, always it can do it. This is the real image that I have from Manchester United, always trying to win titles, always fighting for every title, and always coming back from difficult moments.
“I think everything is going to be fine, with the squad we have, with the players who will come in the summer. This club will be successful for sure. It will be a great, great period for me. I just wanted to go to a place where I feel happy.”
While Mata is seen as United’s saviour, Moyes – also pursuing Southampton left-back Luke Shaw – added: “I think there’s a bigger job to be done, but you have to start somewhere.
“If you asked me what I needed most, I would have said a central midfielder, and I could do with a left-back, but sometimes you don’t always get the pieces of the jigsaw at the time.
“I think the message this sends, as I said in the summer, is that we’re going for all the best players in the world and I think Juan is one of those players.”
Cardiff’s visit will see the return of United hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now in charge of the Welsh side. The former striker is aware of the tough task, but has fond memories of his 11 years at Old Trafford.
“For me, the best one was the 2-0 win against Newcastle [in 2006] after my injuries,” he said. “I was credited with both goals. But walking off the pitch, I saw my son clench his fists when he saw me.
“My dad was a wrestler, you see, and I keep hearing about how good he was and how great he was, but I only see these cuttings in a newspaper. But Noah will always be able to remember his dad playing for Manchester United and that was everything for me.”
