Can United use Mata to build a run of results?

Playing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is never an easy task so when you throw in a depleted and perhaps disheartened squad, Manchester United were sure to struggle, but how much so and the lack of ability shown by the current English champions was still unexpected.

United did start the strongest of the two but Chelsea were first to break the deadlock with Samuel Eto’o scoring at the 17th minute seemingly out of nowhere.

Without their main two forwards, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney, United lacked quality and a proven game changer to get them back in control.

Eto’o scored again while Javier Hernandez pulled one back for the Red Devils, but an on fire Eto’o completed his hat-trick to finish the game 3-1.

Just to round off a dismal afternoon in West London, United captain Nemanja Vidic got controversially sent off in the dying moments and therefore would miss their Capital One cup match against Sunderland. Rafael however shockingly remained on the field.

United still without key squad members lost the first leg of their Capital One Cup game against the Black Cats so went into the second leg needing to overturn a single goal deficit.

On the night United played very poorly but goals from Jonny Evans and Hernandez and Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley took the game to extra-time and then penalties.

Out of five spot-kicks each United only scored one with Sunderland only managing to convert two. By all accounts both sides were very poor but it will be the Black Cats facing a tough Manchester City side at Wembley.

United have been linked with a creative midfielder all season and the club managed to land a club record signing this winter. Juan Mata swapped red for blue and it cost £37 million to get him to do so.

The former Chelsea player’s first game in a red shirt came against Cardiff, where he managed to light the side up and actually offer some real hope to United fans and players alike.

United only managed a draw when these two met in November but managed to get all three points this time around.

Cardiff had lost all three of their last Premier League games and are learning to play under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a season of conflict between ex manager Malky Mackay (who brought them up from the Championship) and owner Vincent Tan.

Will United now go on a run? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.