Juan Mata has revealed what he told Ashley Young just before he scored Manchester United’s equaliser against Juventus in their 2-1 win.
The Reds brought on Mata and Marouane Fellaini with just over ten minutes left to swing the match in their favour.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning volley had looked enough to seal all the points for Juventus, before Mata’s 86th-minute free-kick and an own goal from Alex Sandro three minutes later swung the match in United’s favour.
“As soon as there was the free-kick in there, I had the confidence that I had to take it,” Mata told MUTV.
“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.
“I think because of the venue and the importance of the game, it’s one of the best [that I’ve scored].”
