Manchester United's Juan Mata has revealed that he is aiming to score at least 10 goals this season, in a response to Louis van Gaal's plea for more goals from midfield.
United's manager has challenged his attacking players to support striker Wayne Rooney on the score sheet, and Mata, who was the club's second-highest scorer last season, intends to carry on hitting the back of the net.
He is quoted as saying by The Guardian: "I always try to score. I have always done that. I used to play as a striker when I was a kid and every team I played for I had a good goals record and it is the same at United, too.
"This season I will aim again to score a good number and to help the team with assists and goals. I had a 21-goal season at Chelsea (2012-13) and 14 another year with Valencia (2009-10) so I have always been lucky enough to score a good number for a midfielder.
"I always try to score more than 10 goals in a season. I have nearly always done that and I think that is a good number for a midfielder. Last season I tried to score as many as I could and it is always a big part of my game. I will try again to be in and around the box and score again."
Mata adapted to a new position on the right wing in the closing weeks of last season.
Charlie Bennett
