Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was delighted to go into the next international break with an important win against Crystal Palace.
A Juan Mata goal was enough for the Red Devils who climb up to sixth in the table, much to the delight of the Dutchman.
"It was a fantastic goal but it was important also," van Gaal told BBC Sport.
"It is always difficult to attack against a defending team, who comes here to defend and not attack. You have two rows of four and we created a lot of possibilities.
"I am pleased because we have three points and there is an international break so it was important we closed with a victory.
"Juan Mata has played a lot of matches. I have given him the chance, I give other players the chance and at the end we shall see who plays more than the other. It is always like that in football.
"They [McNair and Blind in defence] didn't have to defend too much because we always had the ball.
"They only had to defend the long balls but that is difficult because Chamakh and Campbell are strong headers of the ball.
"Paddy McNair is not injured. It was cramp. It is [recent injury problems] crazy but it is what I have to deal with."
