Ralf Rangnick praised Juan Mata's professionalism and "love for the game" after he signed off in style at Old Trafford, shining in Manchester United's 3-0 win again Brentford.
But Rangnick admitted Mata could have featured more during his time in charge, with the 34-year-old making his first Premier League start of the season against the Bees.
It was only Mata's third start of the entire campaign, having begun the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham and the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys, but he rolled back the years against Brentford.
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Rangnick labelled him a "magician" for some of his touches during the game and said his start had come about thanks to some impressive displays in training and a stylish cameo against Chelsea on Thursday.
Asked if he felt he could have used Mata more often, Rangnick said: "Yes, maybe it was the first game he played from the beginning, [but it] also had to do with the opposition in this position and in the last couple of weeks he was one of the players who showed in training how professional he is and how much he loves the game. He had moments when he played like a magician."
Mata is out of contract at the end of this season and while he hasn't confirmed his future plans, he waved to all four corners of Old Trafford when he was substituted and it certainly looked like a farewell from the Spaniard, who was making his 283rd appearance for the club.
"I don’t know [if he's leaving]," said Rangnick. "He hasn’t confirmed that but it is possible.
"It was an important night for players who have been here quite a long time and played well for the club."
As well as Mata, it was also an Old Trafford farewell for Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani, who will leave when their contracts expire this summer.
Phil Jones came off the bench in what looks like being his own goodbye, but Jesse Lingard, who is departing after 22 years at the club, didn't get off the bench to say goodbye to his boyhood club.
"For personal reasons he didn’t train a lot, yesterday was the first," said Rangnick.
"He asked me to allow him some time at home. Tonight was one of those nights I would have loved to have five subs."
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