Gary Neville reacts to Juan Mata’s display in Man United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea FC
Man United legend Gary Neville praises Juan Mata for his brilliant finish in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea FC
Gary Neville heaped praise on Juan Mata for his precise goal in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea FC on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to start the Spain international for the visit of his former club to Old Trafford in the top-four clash.
Mata justified his inclusion in the 11th minute when the Spanish playmaker finished from close range after good work from Luke Shaw and Romelu Lukaku.
The 31-year-old netted his third Premier League goal of the season in just the Spanish playmaker’s 15th start of the campaign so far.
His compatriot David De Gea undid the midfielder’s good work when the Manchester United number one inadvertently diverted Antonio Rudiger’s straightforward kick into the path of Marcos Alonso, who made no mistake with the rebound.
Former Manchester United defender Neville was impressed with Mata’s decisive finish.
“Mata is a goal-scorer,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“If you put him in the team, he’ll get in good positions. What a pass from Romelu Lukaku. It’s a delicate chip. Shaw plays the ball across the line. Mata is there on the penalty spot and he finishes it really well.”
Spanish midfielder Mata is facing an uncertain future at Manchester United with his contract set to expire at the end of the Premier League season.
The former Valencia midfielder has won the FA Cup, the Europa League and the League Cup since his move to Old Trafford from Chelsea FC in January 2013.
