Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Juan Mata vows to win back place at Manchester United

Juan Mata has vowed to take every chance he is offered to win back his place in the Manchester United team and reiterated his respect for manager Louis van Gaal.

The Spaniard has begun the last two games on the bench after Wayne Rooney returned from suspension but came on to score United's winner against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

And the midfielder, who became United's record signing when he joined from Chelsea for 37.1 million pounds in January, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.

"What we have to do is what I did against Palace -- seize every opportunity and to try to help the team," he told Cope. "Luckily on Saturday my goal was worth three points."

Mata pointed to his name on the back of his shirt after finding the net against Palace, which could have been interpreted as a message to manager Van Gaal.

But he added: "It was an explosion of joy because the game was difficult, because we came away from several games without a victory and [the goal] was important. I'm very happy."

Asked his opinion of his manager, Mata told Mundo Deportivo: "He is an honest person who tells you things directly to your face. He has a strong character and great football knowledge."

Mata has scored nine goals in his last 15 games for United but has faced a battle to earn a spot in the team since the summer arrivals of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

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