Juan Mata heaps praise on former boss Ronald Koeman

Juan Mata heaps praise on former boss Ronald Koeman

Juan Mata heaps praise on former boss Ronald Koeman ahead of Manchester United clash against Southampton Manchester United take on South... 02:26

Juan Mata heaps praise on
former boss Ronald Koeman
ahead of Manchester United
clash against Southampton
Manchester United take on Southampton at
Old Trafford on Monday night
Juan Mata has paid tribute to Saints
manager Ronald Koeman
The pair won the Copa del Rey together
with Valencia back in 2008
Juan Mata has paid tribute to Ronald Koeman
ahead of Manchester United's Barclays Premier
League clash against Southampton on Monday
night.
The Spaniard was given his La Liga debut by the
current Saints boss during their time together at
Valencia and Mata appreciates the Dutchman's
influence on his career.
The duo won the Copa del Rey together during
Mata's first full season at the Mestalla in 2008
and, writing on his blog, ' One Hour Behind ', the
United No 8 wrote: 'It’s going to be a special
reunion, since Ronald Koeman was my manager
in Valencia when I won my first title as a
professional footballer: the Copa del Rey.
'He was very important in my career because he
gave me confidence and I played regularly, which
is what every young player needs in his early
years.'
Southampton have been one of this term's
surprise packages having been in the top four for
much of the season following a summer of
upheaval.
Victory for Louis van Gaal's side would see the
Red Devils leapfrog Southampton in the table but
Mata, hopeful of continuing his side's four-game
winning streak, is aware it will be a difficult task
to take all three points: 'Even more challenging
than Stoke (United's last game) will be
Southampton.
'They are third on their own merits with an
outstanding run at home: 5 wins in 7 games, with
17 goals scored and only 4 conceded.'