Manchester United playmaker, Juan Mata, has revealed the life under Louis van Gaal. The Spaniard who has enjoyed a great run under the Dutchman told the club website: “He is a tough manager, very strict and always looking at the players in every training session and every game, but he’s also a very good manager. He has a great experience, a really good and strong character and he always wants to win and play good football.”
Mata, who was brought to Manchester United by David Moyes, did not enjoy his first few months at Old Trafford as he was regularly played out of position. Louis van Gaal, who himself did not start Mata for much of the first half of the campaign, started using him on the right hand side of a 4-3-3 where the Spaniard flourished and scored some great and important goals, most prominently against arch rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Mata ended this season with 10 goals from 35 games but wishes to improve. He stated: “I want to keep improving and giving my best to this great club and to try to reach new goals.As an offensive player I want to score, assist and give 100 per cent for the team, and as a club I think we need to be fighting for the title because that’s what all the players and fans want.”
The Spaniard also talked about United’s ambitions for next season: “I think this season was a big step towards where this club deserves to be.”We had a new manager with a new philosophy and we brought in new players. Next season we will hopefully play in the Champions League, which is a massive objective for the club, and we’ll be trying to win trophies.”
edited by Bhavna Rachuri
