Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Juan Mata's sweet strike earned Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday but manager Louis van Gaal was left with plenty to ponder after another unconvincing display.
Read: EPL Team of the Week 11
Mata came on as a substitute to score in the 67th minute to guide Manchester United to victory over Crystal Palace.
"It was probably one of my most important goals," he told MUTV.
"It was a very difficult game. We needed the three points and I am very happy because we got them and that is exactly what the supporters deserve. It has been a difficult season but this helps."
United needed a spark and van Gaal's inspired substitution provided it through Mata's introduction. "When you come off the bench you try to change the game and that what was in my mind when I was warming up. Luckily I managed to do that," he added.
"It was a frustrating game. We had the possession but we didn't create too much and they had a big chance in the first half, but we're happy because we got three points."
Manchester United next travel to London to take on Arsenal in a crunch match for both side's league ambitions.
Read: EPL Team of the Week 11
Mata came on as a substitute to score in the 67th minute to guide Manchester United to victory over Crystal Palace.
"It was probably one of my most important goals," he told MUTV.
"It was a very difficult game. We needed the three points and I am very happy because we got them and that is exactly what the supporters deserve. It has been a difficult season but this helps."
United needed a spark and van Gaal's inspired substitution provided it through Mata's introduction. "When you come off the bench you try to change the game and that what was in my mind when I was warming up. Luckily I managed to do that," he added.
"It was a frustrating game. We had the possession but we didn't create too much and they had a big chance in the first half, but we're happy because we got three points."
Manchester United next travel to London to take on Arsenal in a crunch match for both side's league ambitions.
