Midfielders Fellaini, Mata call for Man United's redemption

Manchester United midfielders Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata on Monday insisted that the English football club must stand together after falling to a third consecutive defeat against Watford on Sunday afternoon.

Back in domestic action after the defeat in the Europa League on Thursday, United went down 1-3 to Watford at Vicarage Road after goals from Etienne Capoue, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Troy Deeney for the hosts, with Marcus Rashford replying for United.

After a third defeat in eight days, the Belgian admitted the mood in the dressing room has been affected, but the players must switch on and turn the situation around, starting with Wednesday's League Cup tie against Northampton Town.

"Yes it (the mood) is low but we are men and we must stand up together and show ourselves," said Fellaini told the club's website. "To lose was a tough moment but we must be ready to go again on Wednesday.

"We need to focus. At the moment heads are down but, as I said, we must stand together and fight and show that we are confident."

Spaniard Mata wrote on his blog: "As I always say, one of the best things of football is that the game is testing you all the time. A win doesn't last too long, and it happens the same way with a defeat: you have the chance to make it up soon afterwards.

"Two more games this week will give us the opportunity to show on the pitch our pride and skills. There's no time for mourning. We must react."

United will begin the week with a match against Northampton Town before facing EPL champions Leicester City on Saturday.

"First of all, we visit Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, in our first game of the season in this competition. We are the favourites in this game and we have to deliver, with all due respect to the opponent because, despite being in League One, Northampton Town has already knocked out a Premier League side like West Brom," he said.

"And next weekend we are back to the Premier League, this time at Old Trafford against Leicester. Playing a nice game against the current champions would be the best signal that we could send to our supporters. In order to do so, we have to improve and work hard in every sense. I believe this team is capable of doing great things this season."

--IANS

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