Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has heaped praise on Juan Mata and claimed that the Manchester United midfielder "should start getting a lot more credit" for his performances.
The Spain international registered his fourth goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal and again proved to be one of the game's key players for the Red Devils.
Mata was sold by Jose Mourinho during his time at Chelsea and looked to be on his way out of Old Trafford upon the Portuguese's arrival in the summer, but he has since responded by racking up those four goals and one assist in 15 appearances.
"I think we're looking at one of the most underrated players in the Premier League," Carragher told Sky Sports News. "I think the reason he doesn't get that credit the others get is that he played his first two years here with Chelsea, then Mourinho comes in - the 'best manager in the world' - and gets rid of him so everyone thinks 'Mourinho can't be wrong, so there must be something wrong with Mata'.
"He goes to Manchester United, but he's not a Manchester United player, he hasn't got any pace and the fee is well over the odds for him. But what number 10 has got pace? I think it's about time now that we start looking at Mata in these group of players - Kevin De Bruyne, Philippe Coutinho, David Silva, Eden Hazard - as one of the top players in the Premier League, which he is and has been.
"It's not a flash in the pan. He's been here five or six years, and he should start getting a lot more credit."
Of the five players named by Carragher, Mata ranks highest for minutes-per-goal and assists against the division's 'big six' sides.
Daniel Lewis
