Mata: United must get back to winning ways

Cape Town - Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has called on his side to rebound from their disappointing run of form. 

United have lost their last three matches - against Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford - after beginning their season with a bang. It also marks the first time United manager Jose Mourinho has lost three successive matches since 2001/02. 

United significantly bolstered their squad over the summer as they brought in numerous players, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the world's most expensive player Paul Pogba. 

With a plethora of superstars in the squad, Mata is confident his side will turn their fortunes around. 

"As I always say, one of the best things of football is that the game is testing you all the time," Mata wrote in his blog United’s website.

"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 face Northampton Town in the EFL on Wednesday before taking on reigning Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday. 

Mata wants United to use these two games to bounce back from their run of disappointing losses. 

"First of all, we visit Northampton Town in the EFL Cup, in our first game of the season in this competition," Mata wrote.

"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. I'm sure the stadium will be packed and they will try to make things difficult for us.

"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."