There are not many footballers that come across as well as Juan Mata any time the Spaniard makes any sort of public appearance, and after netting the winner against Sampdoria in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday night, Man Utd's #8 paid tribute to the many Irish fans who attended the match.
His goal was a typically well taken placed finish, something that has become a bit of a trademark for him in the red of United, and speaking to MUTV after the game in Dublin he expressed his gratitude for the support that United receive worldwide, and commented that he and Ander Herrera were impressed by the amount of fans lining the streets as the team bus headed for the Aviva.
Fantastic, you know?.
I came in the bus, sat with Ander Herrera, and when we came to the stadium we see a red river coming to the game.
It doesn't matter where you go in the world, there's always United shirts everywhere. We are so grateful and we will try our best for all of them.
Kevin Moran was on duty for MUTV last night, and once Mata scarpered off to the changing rooms he summed up why the fans love him so much.
He's always in control of what he does, he times his runs brilliantly, he's so honest there and so modest when you hear him talk.
He's talking more about the pass by Martial [to set up his goal], which of course was good, but it's his timing coming into the box, which he does so often, and then he just dispatches it so well. He's a brilliant player.
Spot on from Moran, Mata comes across as a genuinely nice bloke and he is always reluctant to accept praise without lending some to his teammates.
Man Utd's return to Dublin was a success enjoyed by many, but unfortunately, it seems that thousands were denied the possibility of getting a ticket for no reason at all.
Empty seats here were set to be a buffer zone -which wasn't needed. The FAI then forgot to put them on sale. Fans missed out. MU unimpressed
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) August 2, 2017
You've got to laugh... Unless you are one of the fans left disappointed last night, in that case it's bloody infuriating.
Those who attended the Sampdoria friendly will be hoping it's less than seven years until United return to Dublin, after they were on hand to help open the Aviva in 2010.
