Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Juan Mata insists goal-shy Manchester United play attacking football

Juan Mata has insisted Louis van Gaal's Manchester United are an attacking side -- despite their recent lack of goals.

United have only scored five times in their last six matches, failing to score three times and drawing 0-0 during their barren run.

That is despite featuring players such as Mata, who was their record signing at the time when he joined for 37.1 million pounds 12 months ago, and winger Angel Di Maria, who cost a British record 59.7 million pounds in August.

Van Gaal's squad also includes Robin van Persie, who has twice won the Premier League's Golden Boot, Wayne Rooney, who is the third highest scorer in United's history, and Radamel Falcao, who scored 155 goals in 200 games for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco.

But while United were unable to score in Friday's 0-0 draw against League Two side Cambridge in the FA Cup, midfielder Mata is convinced that Van Gaal is trying to instil the right ethos at Old Trafford.

"I think we are all learning from the manager," the Spain international told MUTV.

"He is a great character and a great coach. The way he wants to play football is the right way, which is an attacking way.

"That means we try to work hard with the ball, try to create space to pass the ball quickly and to switch it from side to side. I really like the way he sees football and we are all trying to do our best for him, the staff and for Ryan [Giggs]."

United have scored 36 Premier League goals this season, with only Tottenham scoring fewer out of the top six in the table.

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