Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 8y

Man United penalty hero Juan Mata can play better - Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal declared that Juan Mata can play better in a gruff analysis of his performance after he scored one goal and assisted on another in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Wolfsburg.

The Premier League leaders got their first points in the Champions League this season after midfielder Mata equalised with a penalty and then set Chris Smalling up for the winner.

But Van Gaal was unimpressed when asked if Mata ranked among Europe's top players when he is in such form.

"I have seen Mata playing better than today," Van Gaal said in a news conference. "So I can say as a manager he played very well and that I agree with you, but I don't agree with you."

Van Gaal was more effusive in his praise for defender Smalling, who delivered the winner and then frustrated Wolfsburg as they looked for an equaliser.

"I think he played a very good match, especially defensively," added Van Gaal. "And the way he scored the goal was outstanding, especially for a defender and especially for him because he was not doing that so much

"Now he has the confidence to do that. I am very pleased with his performance."

Van Gaal substituted Antonio Valencia, who had played Daniel Caligiuri onside, at half-time and made it clear the Ecuadorian was not injured by criticising him for failing to stop Wolfsburg's supply line from their left wing.

"We have to stop the crosses so that is the reason," Van Gaal added.

Mata hailed the victory as an important win against a strong Bundesliga opponent for Manchester United, who lost their first Champions League match 2-1 to PSV Eindhoven.

"It was a very tough game because we were physically tired at the end," Mata said. "But we did what we had to do.

"The manager made a list of penalty takers and I am the first right now and I have confidence. We knew we had to win today. We are happy today."

Matchwinner Smalling said United deserved the win after recovering from Caliguiri's early strike, adding: "We started up against it after conceding a goal. But we created a lot of chances and deserved the win.

"We didn't give them too many chances. We created some ourselves which gave us a deserved victory. We knew they played with two wingers which gave us space -- Anthony Martial's pace used that well."

Despite the criticism of Mata, Van Gaal did praise his players for earning the win despite tired legs towards the end of the game, saying: "It was very difficult because they scored so early. Then we did very well, we created a lot of chances. We don't finish it and it was a lucky penalty I think.

"Of course it is a penalty but there are some refs not whistling for that. We have created many more chances -- [Wayne] Rooney and [Memphis] Depay could have scored and you finish the game.

"Then we score and after that it was suffering. A lot of players are very tired, a combination of a lot of matches but we didn't give much away.

"How many chances have we given away? Maybe one. We have to keep the ball better in the second half."

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