Mata Wants Double Figures

Juan Mata is Manchester United's second-highest scorer of the season and the Spaniard admits goals will always be an important part of his game. After netting twice in the last two games, our creative number eight is determined to hit double-figures for the third campaign in a row.

Mata has found the net nine times already in 2016/17 and only Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ahead of him in the scoring stakes with 20. Juan's recent strikes in the consecutive Premier League victories over Leicester City and Watford helped United to important wins and he's keen to exert more influence in front of goal when the Europa League resumes on Thursday with a Round of 32 tie against AS Saint-Etienne at Old Trafford.

In an exclusive interview with United Review, the club's official matchday programme, Mata discusses his scoring form of late: "I’m happy with my goals total. I’ve got nine so far and hopefully I can score many more between now and the end of the season, and then look back on a really good season. 

"So far in February that amount of goals for a midfielder is not bad. I haven’t set a target but hopefully I can do it again and have 10 goals for three seasons in a row."

Mata is a player who has popped up with important strikes throughout his United career, most notably with a famous brace at Anfield in 2015  and a vital equaliser in last season's FA Cup final. 

When asked whether Jose Mourinho has tasked him with getting into the box more this season, he says: "Well yes, I think he appreciates some different qualities from different players so whenever I play I always try to be in that position that allows me to create a chance or finish one. 

"Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t, but it’s important to always be in the right positions. I try to play with the ball - possession, passes, assists - but scoring goals has also been a big part of my career."