Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists he has seen Juan Mata play better, despite the midfielder scoring a goal and setting up another against Wolfsburg on Wednesday.
United kick-started their Champions League Group B campaign with a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Mata and Chris Smalling at Old Trafford.
Mata dazzled in Manchester, with his 34th-minute penalty cancelling out Daniel Caligiuri's opener, before the Spain international executed a sublime back-heel flick to tee up Smalling eight minutes into the second half.
"I don't speak about individual performances, but I have seen Mata playing better than today," said the Dutchman.
"I can say as a manager that he played very well and agree with you, but I don't agree with you."
While Van Gaal played down Mata's performance, the 64-year-old talked up goalscoring centre-back Smallimg.
"He played a very good match, especially defensive," Van Gaal continued. "And the way he scored a goal was outstanding, especially for a defender, and especially for him because he is not doing that so much. Against PSV [a 2-1 defeat on matchday one] also he had a chance."
Van Gaal also confirmed Mata is United's new designated penalty taker following his successful spot-kick on Wednesday.
"I take all the decisions, believe me. I am responsible. Of course, I communicate always with my players, but I make the decisions and everybody knows that except you," Van Gaal added.
"Wayne Rooney has missed a penalty. Then we have also another sequence so it is a rule in our way of taking penalties. When you miss you are last then the other player has the chance to take the penalty."
