Juan Mata: Paul Pogba showed why he's one of the best

Juan Mata heaped praise on Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba following Monday's 2-0 win against FA Cup holder Chelsea.

Published : Feb 19, 2019 14:17 IST

Paul Pogba starred in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday.
Paul Pogba starred in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday.
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Paul Pogba starred in Manchester United's 2-0 win over Chelsea on Monday.

Juan Mata said Paul Pogba showed why he is one of the best players in the world during Manchester United's FA Cup victory over Chelsea. Pogba scored one and set up the other as United eliminated FA Cup holder Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

After delivering the cross for Ander Herrera's 31st-minute opener, Pogba headed in a goal of his own on the stroke of half-time to give United its first win away at Chelsea since 2012.

United midfielder Mata heaped praise on his star team-mate, who has been involved in 15 goals (nine goals and six assists) since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December. "He assisted the cross for the first goal, scored the second one," Mata said afterwards. "Even in the second half, 80, 85 minutes he was still defending, going forwards. He's very, very complete.

"He's got physique, he's got quality, he's got a pass, he can go box to box. He's one of the best. Today he showed why."

Aiming for top-four finish

It was the perfect response from United, which suffered a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the opening leg of its Champions League round-of-16 tie last week. With United facing an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarterfinals in the absence of banned midfielder Pogba and sitting fourth in the Premier League, the FA Cup is viewed as the club's most realistic chance for silverware.

However, Mata said: "Obviously we had a difficult result against PSG, but we still believe we can come back. In the Premier League our main target is to get top four, after a very good run of results. One or two months ago it was pretty impossible to get where we are now, so we want to keep that position.

"And in the FA Cup we're close to Wembley. So hopefully we can go to Wembley again with all our fans, because it's a very nice feeling."

Before United heads to Paris for its return fixture against PSG next month, it will host Premier League title contender Liverpool on Sunday.

United is 14 points behind Liverpool, which can move above Manchester City with a draw or win at Old Trafford. "It's one of those games we have in our calendar with a red spot waiting for it," Mata added. "It's one of the big ones and we want to win. We play at home and hopefully will be a very good day for us at Old Trafford."

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