Mata: United a huge challenge

Manchester United new boy Juan Mata says he
can cope with the pressure of becoming the
Premier League champions' record signing.
The 25-year-old Spain international has joined
United for £37.1million from Chelsea and may
make his debut at Old Trafford against Cardiff on
Tuesday.
The attacking midfielder arrived at Chelsea in
August 2011 and made a massive impact in his
first two seasons, but has featured more
intermittently this term and has now been
allowed to join United.
"Coming here is a great moment for me," said
Mata, when he was unveiled as a United player
on Monday.
"I feel very happy to be here and have the
chance to play for a massive club.
"The last six months at Chelsea were a bit difficult
for me but now I am really happy and looking
forward to winning as many trophies as I can with
this club. I am sure it is going to be a great period
for me.
"Manchester United is a massive club, with fans
all around the world and this will be a big
challenge.
"But I like the pressure, I think it's good for a
footballer to try to improve. People are expecting
big things from me and I am looking forward to it.
"What I like the most about this club is the
character. I think if another club were in this
position in the league (seventh), I think it would
be very difficult to come back and take first
position, but this club can do it.
"I think this is a club which is going to be
successful and I am happy to play anywhere. I
will try my best to improve as a player, to grow."
There had been speculation that Mata might be
given the famous United No.7 shirt, but he will in
fact be wearing No.8.
"I know seven is an iconic number here but I was
speaking with David (Moyes) about it and we
decided eight is a good number for me," he said.
"Hopefully, it will bring me good luck."
Mata has been capped 32 times by Spain and
says his desire to be in their World Cup squad
this summer played a part in his move.
"It was really important," he said. "The Spain
squad is really difficult to get into, there are a lot
of players fighting to be in the last 23 going to
Brazil.
"I hope this is a great chance for me to keep
playing and show the manager of the national
team I want to be there, I have to be there.
"I don't know what would have happened if I had
stayed at Chelsea. Now I am here and, if things
are good in the final part of the season, the World
Cup is going to be closer for me, for sure."
He also said he is not bitter about the way his
role at Chelsea became more marginal and
added: "It is football. In football, everything is
possible
"The first two seasons in Chelsea for me were
amazing, I settled down so quickly.
"The last six months were difficult because I
didn't play as much as I wanted but I respect
that.
"Jose is a very good manager and the squad is
unbelievable. I think they have one of the best
squads in the Premier League.
"I just tried my best in training and every game
but, when Man United came, it was a great
option for me to carry on with my career."
United boss Moyes admitted that he was
surprised to have been able to sign a player of
Mata's calibre.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "I got wind of it a month
or two ago that there could be an opportunity but
I never really believed we could pull it off.
"I've been saying in press conferences that I
didn't think we'd get a chance to do much
business in January.
"I didn't think players would be available but,
when we got a sniff that there was a chance Juan
could be available, we went after it right away.
"Congratulations to the club and (chief executive)
Ed Woodward for getting the deal done.
"We said the summer window would be tough but
we've had a chance to look at everybody and now
we will be making changes. Juan is the first.