Mata respects Reds’ rivals

Juan Mata is sure Ipswich will provide Manchester United with a stiff test in the Capital One Cup at Old Trafford tonight.

United moved up to second place in the premier league on Sunday with a 3–2 win over Southampton.

Confidence is high at Old Trafford following the successful start to the season, but Louis van Gaal knows better than most that the League Cup can spring a surprise.

Three games into last season, Van Gaal suffered the most humiliating defeat of his reign when United were beaten 4–0 by MK Dons in the second round.

Midfield ace Mata knows the potential is there for Ipswich to cause an upset: "They are an historic team in English football and I'm sure it won't be an easy game for us.”

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy has already registered one win against Van Gaal - though it was 14 years ago.

McCarthy, then in charge of the Republic of Ireland, ended Van Gaal's hopes of guiding Holland to the 2002 World Cup with a 1–0 win for the hosts at Lansdowne Road in September, 2001.