Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal expects Juan Mata to be up for their trip to Chelsea.

Mata made 135 appearances during two-and-a-half seasons with Chelsea, scoring 33 goals and van Gaal admits he always tries to harness the additional motivation of a player facing a former employer.

"I've said to him already that it shall be very special for him," the boss told MUTV.

"Normally, I always put players in the line-up if they've played for the opponent, so I think Mata shall play."