Louis van Gaal praises Juan Mata impact

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hinted that Juan Mata may have played his way into a regular starting role after their 1-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Spanish playmaker scored the winning goal at Old Trafford, and the Dutchman was pleased with how the La Roja international seized his chance against the Eagles.

He told BBC Sport: "Juan Mata has played a lot of matches and I have given him the chance, I give other players the chance and at the end we shall see who plays more than the other. It is always like that in football.

"It was a fantastic goal but it was important also. It is always difficult to attack against a defending team, who comes here to defend and not attack.

"You have two rows of four and we created a lot of possibilities. I am pleased because we have three points and there is an international break so it was important we closed with a victory."

United return to action after the international break with a trip to Arsenal on November 22.