Mata: Win Will Boost Confidence

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata says the 1-0 win over Aston Villa has given the players a welcome lift ahead of the Champions League play-off clash with Club Brugge.

Mata produced an inch-perfect pass for Adnan Januzaj to score the only goal at Villa Park on 29 minutes, as the Reds secured a first away win of the season, and a second consecutive Barclays Premier League victory.

The Spaniard received 50 per cent of the Man of the Match vote from fans on Twitter after the game, ahead of Chris Smalling (29 per cent) and Januzaj (21 per cent), and was delighted to play his part in the win.

"I feel happiness because we won," he told MUTV. "I think we can improve but six points from six points is a very good start for us and now we have a lot of confidence ahead of the Champions League play-off [on Tuesday].

"The clean sheet is a very positive factor. We’re talking about having new players at the back and they’re doing great as well. I think the most important thing was that we kept our goal with very few chances but it was a very compact defence today.

"There were a few moments when Villa were pressing and the crowd was up because this is a great stadium and they always create a tough atmosphere, but I don’t think we gave too many chances away. Then, it's easier to win. We’re glad the record continued and hopefully it will next game."

Mata was delighted to see Januzaj get on the scoresheet during the game, and was encouraged by the performance of summer signing Memphis Depay, who might have doubled the Reds'

lead in the second half following another of the Spain international's visionary passes.

"I’m very happy for Adnan," Mata added. "He’s very young and he’s been patient all this time, so I’m very happy for him. It was a great goal, he finished it very well with his right foot and we’re happy with him.

“Of course, the good thing is that he [Memphis] is having the chances. He’s getting in the position to have the chances, two today I think, but the goals will come for him. He’s a great player, a young player, with a lot of qualities and, today, he was close. I think he will score for us very soon."