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Juan Mata Reveals What He Said To Ashley Young Moments Before Scoring Free-Kick

Juan Mata Reveals What He Said To Ashley Young Moments Before Scoring Free-Kick

The Spaniard curled in a beautiful free-kick against Juventus.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

It didn't take a lot to convince Ashley Young. Well, it helps when you're Juan Mata.

He produced in Turin after coming off the bench to convert a sublime free-kick with just minutes left of normal time.

The Spaniard entered the fray in the 79th minute and got on the score-sheet seven minutes later.

A confident Mata knew he had to take the set-piece.

"As soon as there was the free-kick in there, I had the confidence that I had to take it," he said following United's 2-1 Champions League victory.

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Though he had to fend off competition from Young who also stood over the ball. But Mata put forward his case and took the free-kick with incredible results.

"I told Ash: 'Please let me take it, because I can go over the wall.'

"It's very difficult for the goalkeeper because they don't see a lot [with the wall so close].

"So I tried to do what I do in training a lot of times, practicing, practicing. It was important to score to make it 1-1 and, after, it led us to the 1-2."

Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA
Image: PA

Mata is no stranger to scoring gorgeous free-kicks, and he even rates his effort as 'one of the best' during his glittering professional career.

"I think because of the venue and the importance of the game, it's one of the best [that I've scored]." He added.

Meanwhile, United secured three vital Champions League points. They move above Valencia in Group G to second place ahead of playing Young Boys then Valencia.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Juan Mata, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Champions League, Ashley Young

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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