Juan Mata was key to United's win against Norwich

Rashford and co make it easy for Mata

Saturday 11 January 2020 19:00

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata revelled in impact made by the Reds' strikeforce in the 4-0 crushing of Norwich City.

Marcus Rashford grabbed a double in the Premier League win, and his fellow hit-men Anthony Martial and substitute Mason Greenwood completed the scoring in the rout of the Premier League’s bottom club.

And it was Mata who provided assists for two of the goals that ensured United got back to winning ways.

The Spaniard was delighted with the movement that made his own influence smoother.

“It was very nice to play today," he admitted to MUTV. "We found spaces, we found the pockets and we could play some balls into our strikers all over the pitch. I think that is a good sign.

“It is very nice for a player like me to play with these kind of players. They make runs and you can play the ball either into their feet or in behind and create a good ball into a goal. That is important to us as playmakers.”

Rashford and Martial were on song against Norwich City

Mata’s brilliant cross to find Rashford for the 27th minute opener set the tone for the Reds.

“It was one of the moves we did in training," said the 31-year-old. "When I play on the right and come inside, I like to make those crosses for our strikers and it was a good finish from Marcus. We are happy with that. We felt we could do it and we did it.


“It was one of those days I enjoyed being on the pitch and we all did. I think the fans will be happy. That is important for us because, we have to be honest, we have given them some disappointments this season that they don’t deserve. But I think, today, they will be happy and that is important to me.”

Having lost at Arsenal in the last Premier League outing, drawn at Wolves in the Emirates FA Cup and suffered a derby defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford, it was vital the Reds got 2020 on track.

“It was a good performance and a performance that we needed,” said Mata.

“It is a performance we can look at and see how we can play and make sure we play like that on a more consistent basis.

“Norwich are a team that tries to play out from the back and they dare to play that way. They have personality. I like the way they try to play, obviously they are not getting results because this is the Premier League but if you don’t have a good day they can play, have the possession and they can create chances like the one they had in the first half that David (De Gea) made a great save from.

Mata: We enjoyed today Video

Mata: We enjoyed today

The Spaniard relished the space he found in midfield during our win against the Canaries…

“What we tried to do was get the ball as soon as possible and control the game and to create chances," he added. "We did that from the first minute. There were four or five minutes at the end of the first half when we lost our concentration a little bit but, overall, it was a very good half and one of the best of the season. It was a complete performance and we need to keep that going and relax in every game.

“But it is only one game, it is only three points but the feeling was very good. “What we have to try to do is bring that feeling for the next game against Wolves [in the FA Cup replay on Wednesday night] and in the Premier League against Liverpool at Anfield [next Sunday], which is a big one.

“We have to keep going. Days like today make you happy and that is what we have to do.”

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