The Spaniard has spoken out in support of his manager.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has come in for serious criticism lately for persisting with a 3-5-2 formation that many believe is simply not working.
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Red Devils fans at Loftus Road during the 2-0 Premier League victory over QPR could be heard chanting 4-4-2 in protest against van Gaal’s style, with the Dutchman’s response being that he will not cave in to the whim of the support.
However, next time out against Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night the 63-year-old continued with 3-5-2 and watched his side struggle to a 0-0 draw against their League Two opponents.
Despite what is being said about his boss, attacking midfielder Juan Mata has spoken out in support of van Gaal and says United are playing attacking football ‘in the right way’.
“I think we are all learning from the manager,” Mata was quoted by CaughtOffside.
“He is a great character and a great coach. The way he wants to play football is the right way, which is an attacking way.
“That means we try to work hard with the ball, try to create space to pass the ball quickly and to switch it from side to side. I really like the way he sees football and we are all trying to do our best for him, the staff and for Ryan [Giggs].”
Mata has had a varied first year at Old Trafford following a then club record £37.1m transfer from Chelsea in January 2014, although is more of an established figure under van Gaal than he was when predecessor David Moyes was in charge.
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