One of the most intelligent and creative players we've had in the past 10-15 years. Has been played out of position for most of his Utd career, his best position is as a 10, considering that I'd say he's done well. He's certainly given us some great performances and awesome moments. Model professional also.he's been a flop compared to most of our initial expectations signing him from Chelsea. on the whole he's done generally OK for us, though, but I expected more.
You could just as well apply that phrase to every player and manager we've had since Fergie though. Also, ( same goes for others) we've missused him, playing him out of position most of the time to accomodate others. Perhaps that's the bad side of being a nice guy, he hasn't wanted to rock the boat and be more forceful about playing in his best position.I think the proper term for him is "he didn't live upto expectations"
No. He was a good player, calling him a flop is stupid.
A good player is surely someone that has lived up to expectations? We are talking about a 40million player here - in the current market that would be a 60-80 million pound signing.
Apart from Juanfield - is there anything of real significance he brought to the table here?
He wasn't worth the amount of money we paid even at the time we did. Chelsea fans and probably their board were laughing at us when we paid nearly £40m. Our useless board and the money we always overpay shouldn't be the indicator of expectations from the player. I think Mata was a good player for us. He, just like majority of our squad are victims of our club's complete lack of direction when we hire wrong managers. I won't say he was a superstar but surely not a flop.A good player is surely someone that has lived up to expectations? We are talking about a 40million player here - in the current market that would be a 60-80 million pound signing.
Apart from Juanfield - is there anything of real significance he brought to the table here?
I think he's been one of the few successes in his time here.
He's been a good player for us, despite having to play in a position that doesn't suit him.
Of all the players in the squad to be labelled a flop, Mata is a very strange choice.
We've never seen the same Mata that Chelsea did for 2 years and he's been with us now what 6 years?
He wasn't worth the amount of money we paid even at the time we did. Chelsea fans and probably their board were laughing at us when we paid nearly £40m. Our useless board and the money we always overpay shouldn't be the indicator of expectations from the player. I think Mata was a good player for us. He, just like majority of our squad are victims of our club's complete lack of direction when we hire wrong managers. I won't say he was a superstar but surely not a flop.
33 goals in 161 games from midfield, often important goals too. Hardly a flop. He's just been unlucky that he's been at United during one of our most turbulent periods in recent history. In a settled side under, say, Fergie I think Mata would have been a far more prominent player than he's ended up being.
Wrong place, wrong time.
He's from that generation of Spanish players who you surround with other silky and nimble ball-retainers to amplify their qualities. You don't sign him and Fellaini within a few months of each other and expect them to play together and be more than the sum of their parts.
Excellent player who has been on the wane for about six years but whose fall was accelerated because of the ill fits around him. Classic example of United's lack of football strategy post Ferguson.
Yes absolutely. Signed as one of the top players in the league and has been anything but that since coming. Quickly faded in to a simple rotation option and it's hard to argue he justified the massive fee and wages he was on with his contributions.
I feel like people taking into account Mata's personality too much when evaluating him as a player.
No they weren't. He was their 2x player of the year and was one of the fan favourites at Stamford bridge. For 2 seasons he was one of their best players as Chelsea won their first ever European trophies.
Sums it up really.Flop is a strong word but he’s been disappointing.
To be fair he’s constantly played out of position on the right when he’s clearly not capable of that role.
I think he's been a success in the sense that he's been one of our better attackers over the last few years.Success? In what sense has he been a success?
I can see the perspective of someone who can’t bring themselves to say he’s a flop because it’s mean and he’s not the worst of a bad bunch and has been a good professional - but success?
Qualify that comment for me as I’m probably missing something.
