Juan Mata's Manchester United career has been unusual, to say the least.Despite once setting the club back £37.5million - at the time, the second largest transfer fee in Red Devils history - he's never quite cemented a position in the starting XI, instead jostling around a variety of midfield roles and often being left on the bench.When Jose Mourinho ascended to the Old Trafford throne during the summer, many assumed the worst. After publicly criticising his limited defensive contribution - in terms of both athleticism and his knack of switching off in key areas - the Portuguese famously sold Chelsea's two-time Player of the Year to United back in January 2014.Mata's once again had to accept a bit-part role this season, but he's unquestionably contributed when given the chance - epitomised by his winning goal in the EFL Cup edition of the Manchester Derby yesterday evening.So with that in mind and the Red Devils searching for their first Premier League win in October, we've got the numbers to prove Mata should stay in the starting XI to face Burnley on Saturday...

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It speaks volumes that Juan Mata is the only Manchester United player to score in their last three domestic fixtures, spanning back to the draw with Liverpool and through the humiliating defeat at the hands of Chelsea.

But all the more incredibly, considering he's often been left on the bench or forced to play in his less preferred positions, only Wayne Rooney has been involved in more United goals since Mata's debut in 2014. Mata may not be a superstar but with Rooney hopelessly out of form, he's Mourinho's most proven option in the final third.

Burnley busy down the left

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Courtesy of Whoscored, Burnley tend to focus their attacks down the left-hand side, with resident left winger Scott Arfield their predominant outlet going forward. The more negative aspects of Mourinho's thinking will tell him to resultantly play a right midfielder with the legs to track back and ensure Arfield isn't allowed too much space.

But there's a flip-side to that point of view - give Arfield a tough job defensively, such as keeping a leash on Mata, and he'll inevitably end up pinned back in his own half. They say attack is the best defence and putting Mata up against Burnley's busy left sider could prove that age-old adage.

Mata's influence on United's points

Some may find this hard to believe but there's a direct correlation between Juan Mata's presence in the starting XI and Manchester United's ability to pick up points in the Premier League.

There's quite a drastic difference too, to the extent that United have claimed just one point from a possible twelve in Mata's absence, compared to 13 out of 15 when he's in the starting line-up.

And it's not just the top flight where his presence is felt - the Red Devils are yet to lose a domestic fixture with the Spaniard in the starting XI this season. What more evidence does Mourinho need?

He's Man United's top-scoring midfielder

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We all know Burnley's game-plan for the weekend - stick all eleven men behind the ball, frustrate Manchester United as much as possible and capitalise on a few moments at the other end. It's not worked well for them this season, especially on the road, but nonetheless, Sean Dyche isn't going to re-write his playbook now.

That suggests a tricky afternoon for United's centre-forward, who'll be surrounded by at least six defenders for much of the match, so the deciding goal could well come from midfield - either a rasping long-shot or a ghosting run past the front-man.

In that regard, once again, Mata's the main man. He's scored the most Premier League goals of any United midfielder this term, only bettered by Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovich.