Manchester United 2-0 Reading: 5 Men who won the game for Solskjaer

#4 Juan Mata

Manchester United Press Conference

The Spaniard was selected to start on the right in a new look front three that also contained Lukaku and Sanchez. Mata had started for Solskjaer before and had been brilliant for his manager against Huddersfield. Solskjaer would have liked his nifty Spaniard to create more magic on the night, and while Mata was not at his fluid best, he still was effective enough to inspire United to a win.

He started from the right but drifted inside throughout the game. The United team were missing some creative spark in the middle and Mata tried to spice things up, taking the ball from Pereira, trying to switch the flanks and also bringing the fullbacks into the game. However, it was in the 22nd minute that Mata sealed the deal for United.

He was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty by VAR. Mata first gently brushed away Lukaku to lay claim to the penalty kick and then calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong side to give United the lead. It was the perfect start that this untested team required and Mata helped his team settle their early nerves and go on to win the game.