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‘I love this player’ - Farke weighs up cheeky Mata bid
Juan Mata dips inside Todd Cantwell to pick out Marcus Rashford for the opening goal in Manchester United's 4-0 Premier League win over Norwich City Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Daniel Farke would sign Manchester United ace Juan Mata in a heartbeat for Norwich City.
The Canaries' boss could only marvel at Mata's influential role in his side's downfall during Manchester United's 4-0 Premier League cruise.
Mata set up two goals and ran the show in midfield at Old Trafford on his first league start since December 1. City confirmed the signing of Ondrej Duda on Sunday, but Farke joked the Spaniard was also high on his wishlist.
"I love this player. I told him after the final whistle I would have preferred if he had stayed on the sidelines," said the City chief. "Fantastic, always the right timing on the pass, the right movements.
"It was crucial for them they were so good in possession and that helped him a lot. For me, Juan Mata is still a top class player and I would take him for my side. I just have to speak to Ole in January."
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United counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted at the way his side bullied City. Solskjaer insisted the margin of victory owed everything to the manner his side approached the job.
"When the opposition coach praises your side afterwards for the how hard we worked that says it all," he said. "Listen, we knew Norwich have some good players and if you let them play then it can be a different game. But the way we pressed, with energy and intensity, was excellent.
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"It wasn't just about the goals for me, it was the way the likes of Marcus and Anthony won the ball back high up the pitch.
"I'm very happy we started on the front foot.
"In any Premier League game, you have to take advantage of the pressure and domination you get. The second half was very good. We're at home, we're winning 1-0.
"You could easily be disappointed towards the end of the first half that we don't go in two or three, but the way they chased about the pitch like a hunt of chasing dogs I'm really, really proud of."
Solskjaer admitted David De Gea's stop from Todd Cantwell just before the break was a huge moment.
"The save that David makes just before half-time is such a big one, both for him, us and the match, because, if they had come in here 1-1 at half-time, it would have been a different game," he said. "Then the crowd may get a bit anxious but David was so confident and assured."
