Mata Apologizes To Teammates, Fans For Red Card

 Juan Mata has apologised to his Manchester United team-mates and fans after being sent off during Sunday’s loss to West Brom.

The Spain international was dismissed for the first time in his career 26 minutes into the game after a mistimed tackle on Darren Fletcher earned him a second yellow card only three minutes after being booked for preventing a quick free kick being taken.

The midfielder felt hard done by saying the yellow cards were harsh and believes more serious challenges go without punishment every week in the Premier League.

“After almost 500 games as a professional player, this Sunday I was sent off for the first time in my career. As you can imagine, it’s not easy for me to write these lines,” Mata wrote in his blog.

“The truth is this is a new and strange situation for me, not easy to assimilate, but we learn from everything. I know that in football we see things like these every week, but obviously what hurts more is that my team-mates had to fight with 10 men for a long time.

“I have the feeling that both decisions were rigorous. In many occasions we see more serious fouls that are not penalised in such a way, but at the same time I could have avoided them and I take responsibility.”

Mata sought to make amends with travelling fans who will have been disappointed after their side’s hopes of a top-four finish were dealt a blow by Salomon Rondon’s 66th-minute winner.

“It also leaves me with a bad taste for the supporters who travelled to the stadium and for those who were watching the game from home,” he added. “But I must carry on as always and from now on I’m already focused on the next game, the derby against Liverpool in the Europa League.

“In this sport there’s no time for celebrations or moaning and after last Wednesday’s joy for the win and the goal against Watford, now I have to go through a more bitter experience. That’s the way it is. What matters is to move forward and to always learn from each situation. And so I will.”