Another reason why I think the thought of selling Mata is crazy. If and I believe we will qualify for the Champions League, Mata is one of the first players I will be looking to for that competition.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
That same guy in that thread also states that Mata is comfortably better than Silva...
Anyway... Yeah, the only reason to sell him would be for the money, which, frankly, the club shouldn't need. Great impact sub, even if he's not a first team player week in-week out, which I don't think he should be, especially in a 433.
He's just not got 'it' in my opinion, and there's no escaping his limitations (I don't believe signing pace will actually solve anything), but still he has some valuable assets.
His stats. at Chelsea are good, and Chelsea were quite crap. but I still think that's partly why he got the goals and assists he did. You'd think - well if he can manage that at a poor Chelsea, imagine what he'd do at a much better Man City (say 2011-12.) But swap him for Silva and City are quite a bit weaker as a whole unit, in my opinion. That control they have (or had) over games and that ability to keep the ball deep in the opponent's half is reduced significantly.
I guess it comes down to whether you think his added goals would make up for it.
Anyway... Yeah, the only reason to sell him would be for the money, which, frankly, the club shouldn't need. Great impact sub, even if he's not a first team player week in-week out, which I don't think he should be, especially in a 433.
He's just not got 'it' in my opinion, and there's no escaping his limitations (I don't believe signing pace will actually solve anything), but still he has some valuable assets.
His stats. at Chelsea are good, and Chelsea were quite crap. but I still think that's partly why he got the goals and assists he did. You'd think - well if he can manage that at a poor Chelsea, imagine what he'd do at a much better Man City (say 2011-12.) But swap him for Silva and City are quite a bit weaker as a whole unit, in my opinion. That control they have (or had) over games and that ability to keep the ball deep in the opponent's half is reduced significantly.
I guess it comes down to whether you think his added goals would make up for it.
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Did anyone think Mata looked a lot fitter and leaner against Spurs? Been put through his paces perhaps?
Been left out of the Spanish squad.
Can't complain about that, to be honest. Just needs to force his way back into our first eleven, and he'll be back.
He wont get in the NT anywhere soon, Silva, Cazorla, Isco have been miles better.
I think it was the determination to keep his place. He knew he'd have to give everything, in terms of both attack and defense, to keep his place in the side for today's game.
For Mata, its keeping the ball that's his main problem. I also think other teams know to put pressure on him and he he will either loose the ball or pass it to the player that's most nearest to him which effectively stops him from influencing the game. He needs to be in the vicinity where he has players around him so he can bounce of them which isn't always the case in the way we play.
I think the forward players can make more use of Fellani upfront with the space that is freed up, if your in close quarters of him, 95% of the time in that situation where defenders are tugging at him, he will try to get the ball to who he can see visibly and that's where people like Mata, Januzaj can exploit making those inside runs into the box. I know it sounds like an old fashion tactic but with the intensity that teams play at today, then you need to be looking for the space that become available, especially in the final third.
Great to see him starting, was expecting Di Maria! 
Seize it Juan.
Needs a defining big match away game.
Needs a defining big match away game.
I'm not sure it was wise to start him. Hope to be proved wrong, but I've had a thing about Mata playing away games, he usually seems to play to about half the level he can.
Hope he proves me wrong and scores.
Hope he proves me wrong and scores.
This.
Chuffed to bits for him and it's great man management by Van Gaal after that long length on the side lines. He put in the performance against Spurs and he's putting faith in him for arguably the biggest game of the season.
Not only is that a big message to Juan but a big message to the rest of the squad.
Not only is that a big message to Juan but a big message to the rest of the squad.
Not expecting anything big. Just keep it tidy and help us keep possession and he'd have done his job.
Surprising selection, it makes Herrera and Valencia's game more difficult, they'll have to be very disciplined.
Defensively he did fine against Rose (who is quick like Moreno) and their other winger. While di Maria is obviously quicker, he seems lazier defensively.
We dominated possession in that game and if we'd played Di Maria Moreno would be less inclined to push on and leave space in behind, now he'll feel free to bomb forward and link with Coutinho or Sterling.
Potentially. Fingers crossed it won't be an issue
Liverpool 1:2 Man Utd
Proven many wrong, he's been the best player on the pitch.
Good thing Moreno felt free to bomb forward and do nothing.
Who says he can't play on the wing? Been absolutely amazing this match. I was in the camp of starting ADM ahead of him.
How wrong I was. He and Herrera seem to have telepathic abilities the way they combine.
How wrong I was. He and Herrera seem to have telepathic abilities the way they combine.
Happy for him, he has a future at United.
Looked after the ball much better and his defensive work has been good. Really good first half
Still the best attacking midfielder in England when in this form.
He has also been showing a high work rate today. Not a liability at all.
You sexy bastard!
What a goal. Needs to be a guranteed starter.
Both finishes were pure sex
Oh my god
I'm in love and this time...it's the real thing.
What a beautiful, sexy and fantastic man.
What a beautiful, sexy and fantastic man.
Mata just broke the internet.
Orgasmic
Our team needs to be based around him.
My god what a goal 
Can't wait for his post-Liverpool blog now.
Hugs.
Hugs.
I said it all along - the guy is our best technical player. He should play in Barcelona.
Brilliant for him to get the two goals today, really hitting some form now. Hopefully he can sustain it.
Best 2 performances in recent times coincide with him and Herrera both on the field. They play so well together.
He's a magnificent footballer... magnificent.
- Status