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Van Gaal brands Mata's winner against Crystal Palace 'fantastic'

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ANI London
Last Updated : Nov 09 2014 | 10:55 AM IST

Manchester United football team manager Louis van Gaal has branded midfielder Juan Mata's second-half winner against Crystal Palace as fantastic.

United moved up to the sixth spot in the Premier League table as Mata scored the game's only goal which helped them secure victory over Crystal on Saturday.

There was little between the two sides in the first half, with Fraizer Campbell lobbing over for Crystal and Luke Shaw denied for the hosts. United boss Louis van Gaal brought on Mata after the hour and he made a swift impact, driving in from 20 yards, The BBC reported.

Mata hit the post later but his earlier goal proved enough to take victory. It was far from a memorable spectacle but three points and a clean sheet would prove satisfying for Van Gaal, especially given his side's defensive problems.

An unsettled back line had played its part in United enduring their worst start to a Premier League season, having collected just 13 points from their first 10 games.

Van Gaal said that Mata's goal was fantastic but it was important also. He added that it is always difficult to attack against a defending team, who come there to defend and not attack.

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The Dutchman also claimed that United created a lot of possibilities. He said that the Spanish midfielder has played a lot of matches, adding that he gave him the chance, he gives other players the chance and at the end they shall see who plays more than the other.

Meanwhile, Crystal manager Neil Warnock said that they are having that kind of spell at the minute, nothing is going right for them. He added that if Fraizer Campbell had scored that chance he had it would have put a lot of pressure on United, but it was not to be.

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First Published: Nov 09 2014 | 10:48 AM IST

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