Juan Mata: This way is how I want Manchester United to play football

Juan Mata scored Manchester United's third goal at St Mary's

JUAN MATA insists Manchester United want to play exciting football after recent criticism of their style of play.

 

Mata scored the winning goal in United's 3-2 victory over Southampton this afternoon - converting after a 44-pass build-up.

The win came after defeat at PSV in the Champions League in midweek, although United did make it two domestic results on the bounce after edging Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend.

 

And Mata, who played the full 90 minutes, said the style of his goal is what manager Louis van Gaal is striving to achieve in the squad.

"He will be very happy with that goal, we all are," Mata told Sky Sports after the game.

 

"It was a fantastic bit of play from the team toy keep the ball and go forward. At the end we found the space to shoot on goal - luckily it came back to be and I could finish.

"That's the football we want to play. You cannot always play the same but at that moment we were fantastic.

"Football is about trying to get forward, trying to create chances and we did that.

"When you switch the ball from one side to the other it's more difficult for defenders and that's what football is all about for me."

United had scored just three goals from their opening four league games before their Liverpool triumph and must now turn their attention to Ipswich in the League Cup on Wednesday night.