Even the most ardent Juan Mata fan would struggle to suggest that the current campaign, his first full season with Manchester United, was always destined for success.

Now though, things seem to be falling into place for the former Chelsea man. The little midfielder could still be heralded as a key figure in a triumphant return to the Champions League for the Old Trafford side. It has taken a while to come to fruition, but Mata now looks central to United’s ambitions.

Despite struggling to nail down a spot in Louis Van Gaal’s first team and battling to become accustomed to the “philosophy” to which the Dutch coach is so committed, Mata has regularly proved to be the difference when United have gained three points instead of one. The playmaker bagged decisive goals in home victories over Stoke and Palace.

Mata the match-winner was at it again with the stakes sky high at Anfield. His two goals capped a stunning performance and dispatched his side’s biggest rivals. Aside from the heroics, other aspects of his recent form have reminded Premier League fans why he can be considered one of the divisions’ finest attacking midfielders.

Most strange about the last two United victories is that the 26-year-old has regained his mojo from an unlikely source.

Stationed on the right of three attacking midfielders, he has reaped great benefit from the deployment of Marouane Fellaini in the central position. While the big Belgian has drawn in and then bullied the opposition, Mata has found joy in the space this has created.

A master at exploiting these gaps, he passed and moved his way to success against Liverpool, whose midfield were nowhere near him and whose left wing-back Alberto Moreno looked hapless in trying to track him.

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Despite the failure of the David Moyes era, here now are his two major signings combining effectively in attack.

Even more ironic is that Fellaini has come good in the very role players like Mata crave; the number 10 position.

The towering midfielder is by far the least luxurious choice to operate as the fulcrum of the Red Devils’ attack, but recently he has become the most effective at operating behind the striker. A side effect of this is Mata moving to what Van Gaal describes as a false right winger.

Whatever the role, he has adapted to it and also continues to develop a good understanding with fellow Spaniard Ander Herrera operating further back in the midfield.

The ex-Valencia schemer’s improvement could also have been aided by the lack of scrutiny he has been subjected to.

His price tag, £37million, was emphatically overshadowed by that of Angel Di Maria, whose flagging form has stolen the headlines, along with the struggles of another high-profile arrival, Radamel Falcao.

The diminutive Mata has never really been under the same pressure to perform as his team mates. In part this could be due to his “nice guy” status in the eyes of the Old Trafford faithful. The midfielder has now cemented a place in their hearts, by scoring against Liverpool both home and away.

It would be foolish though to dismiss his current success or focus on a few high profile fixtures. The reason being that the Spaniard has the stats to merit his praise and indicate he could be integral to his side’s push for European qualification.

What stands out is his goals-to-games ratio, which is better than one in three for United and almost as good for Spain.

He also contributes heavily with assists and regularly attains a pass completion of over 90 per cent.

If Van Gaal has finally found a system in which he can prosper, he has all the qualities to haul a side who have looked sluggish in their race for the Champions League across the finish line.

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