Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has heaped praise on coach Michael Carrick.

Mata says Carrick is one of United's great underrated players.

Mata - who received a Carrick pass in the midfielder's final game (against Watford) before assisting Marcus Rashford - told United's website: “I know how important he is for a team.

"And, from my point of view, he didn't have the media talking about him, or even the fans speaking about his importance, but it was just a joy to play alongside him.

"As an attacking football player, when you have Michael in behind, you know he's going to find you. Wherever you move, he's going to find you.

“I joke with him, calling him the quarterback of a football team because you make the movement and the ball is going to fall into your run.

"It's not going into your feet but into your run, exactly what you want, to control it and keep going.

“Sometimes, people don't appreciate that enough and also defensively. People could have said he was not the most aggressive one but he was very intelligent."