Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie Redknapp has suggested that Juan Mata is a crucial player for Manchester United.

The 27-year-old - who joined the Red Devils in January 2014 - scored United's third goal against Southampton on Sunday afternoon, and Redknapp believes that the Spanish midfielder is currently justifying his place in the starting XI.

Writing in the Daily Mail, Redknapp said: "With the signings made in the summer a lot of people assumed Mata would be the man to lose his place in the starting XI. Right now he's doing more than enough to justify his place.

"He is a class act, never complains, is such a gifted technical player and with pace around him he can really make United tick. He's the thinking man's footballer."

Mata has scored 18 goals in 59 appearances for the club.