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Manchester United logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Wolfsburg

2-1

Mata (34' pen.), Smalling (53')
FT(HT: 1-1)

Louis van Gaal: 'Juan Mata was only okay in Wolfsburg victory'

Louis van Gaal refuses to shower Manchester United ace Juan Mata with too much praise despite a glittering performance in the 2-1 Champions League win over Wolfsburg.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that he was not overly impressed by Juan Mata in Wednesday's come-from-behind Champions League win over Wolfsburg.

The Spanish playmaker had a big hand in both goals during the Red Devils' 2-1 win at Old Trafford, cancelling out Daniel Caligiuri's opener with a 34th-minute penalty, before his clever flick set up Chris Smalling for the winner early in the second half.

Nevertheless, the Dutch manager refuses to lavish too much praise on the former Chelsea ace, insisting that he has seen him perform better.

"I don't speak about individual performances, but I have seen Mata playing better than today," Van Gaal told reporters.

"I can say as a manager that he played very well and agree with you, but I don't agree with you."

It was United's first win in Group B, having lost their opener at PSV Eindhoven.

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Louis van Gaal manager of Manchester United celebrates victory with winning goalscorer Chris Smalling in the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Manchester United FC and VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on September 30, 2015
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