So we should sell him, aye?
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
I love Mata, he's very quickly become my favourite player. I'd be gutted if we sold him, Mad Winger Kagawa style gutted.
He gives us something we've lacked for about 10 years which is goals from midfield, he's a fantastic finisher. If he is a regular starter this season I reckon he'll be getting at least 15 goals this season.
He gives us something we've lacked for about 10 years which is goals from midfield, he's a fantastic finisher. If he is a regular starter this season I reckon he'll be getting at least 15 goals this season.
People are overstating his performance imo. Not that he was bad but the rest of the frontline was better even RVP who's been getting some (undeserved) stick. RVP held the ball up very well and Rooney, Herrera and Di Maria linked very well with each other. I expect more from him as a creative number 10.
Didn't you know goals are the be all and end all in any argument. I'm not saying Mata wasn't good, but the way I see it is, he played not much different to recent games, only difference is that he had better players around him who got the ball into Mata's feet quicker so he was able to express himself more.
.... which is a pretty big difference, and so the fact that Mata could express himself more made him play much better in recent games... right?
He also provided an excellent link between midfield and attack - and occupied vital spaces on the field when we didn't have the ball. He could drift around and help double-up on people which helped us win the ball back much quicker than we have done in recent weeks. He covered an immense amount of ground, and moved the ball very well... in fact, he was probably the player who moved the ball out of his feet the quickest, which contributed to the pace of play that we all enjoyed.
That is the point that will make mata better, he needs players around him who are quicker and can carry the ball, it opens the space for him to do his magic.
Many say how poor mata has been this season, well look at the team selections before yesterday's game, you had cleverly fletcher Valencia and young providing the width and control of the midfield, to blind Herrera and di Maria has your width and control of the midfield, See the difference?
If the team is one paced, and a midfield so poor it can't put into words how bad they were, there is only so much mata could do. He needs the players around him also
Yes, which makes the claims that he should be dropped sound rather daft now, considering he is our best number 10 and just needs better players around him. The difference when he went off was telling too. I love watching Mata play, and think people have been harsh on him.
The media clamour for him to be dropped was pure bullying based on name as far as I'm concerned. He appeared to be the softed target of all our big attacking names to drop.
Not trying to get after Rooney, who was very good yesterday, but both of them showed in their performance that Rooney is simply incapable of replicating what Maa offers in the 10. He just doesn't have that silk. The moment where Mata took the ball on the edge of the box in the first half and we almost won a penalty from Cilnt Hill - that couldn't be done by Wayne. He was surrounded, his touch was outstanding under pressure. Both should stay in their respective roles.
Not trying to get after Rooney, who was very good yesterday, but both of them showed in their performance that Rooney is simply incapable of replicating what Maa offers in the 10. He just doesn't have that silk. The moment where Mata took the ball on the edge of the box in the first half and we almost won a penalty from Cilnt Hill - that couldn't be done by Wayne. He was surrounded, his touch was outstanding under pressure. Both should stay in their respective roles.
He adds something to the team. We need him to be there.
Spot on!
Yeah I said the same earlier in the thread. Definitely lost directness, pace and shape when Rafael AND Mata came off at the same time. I think LvG subbed Mata because he wanted to try Rooney as a 10. Hopefully he saw enough to know that although Rooney can play there, it's definitely not his best position, and Mata really is a class above as a 10. Although maybe he wanted RvP to get another yellow so he wouldn't have a difficult decision to make in the next match
Spot on. He gets a lot of unfair criticism on here and in the media because he would be the easy player to drop to fit in the new signings.
He has scored 8 goals in 10 games That's great. Very impressive when you consider how poor we have been playing. If Rooney, Falcao or RVP had that scoring record in the past 10 games we would be sitting here saying they can't be dropped due to their form... But when it's Mata there seems to be a large group of people suggesting he should get dropped.
He contributes a goal or assist every game, he's class.
Rooney has 8 goals in his last 11 United games. Just saying is all.
Anyway, said in another thread on Saturday that people seem to be forgetting just how highly rated Mata was in 2011/12, and in 2012/13 especially. It wasn't seen as an outlandish argument to say that he was as good as or even better than Silva.
Then Mourinho didn't fancy him, and so he joined a struggling United side, and his star waned a bit. Even among United fans. Part of that, I reckon, is down to Fergie's 'cow' argument i.e. that someone elses cow always seems to be better than your own, even if it's not necessarily so. I guess you could also call it 'Coveting Thy Neighbour's Ox'. Umm . . . where I am going with this again?
Oh yeah. Mata is f*cking brilliant, and we're lucky to have him.
All you have to do is look at Ozil, who Arsenal payed around 10 million more for and you'll see how ridiculous the criticism is. He was never going to boss every game in the static United side we've seen over the past 12 months. He's still made golden contributions though. That's what top players do. Now that we're looking like a unit again, he'll thrive in overall play and continue to score and assist.
Pretty much. Yep, he's a 'soft target', seeing as his 'brand' seems to have dipped a bit by him being discarded by Chelsea. It always happens in football though. It was always going to be Di Maria who made way at Real for James, and while Welbeck is currently everyone's favourite in England, it will take significantly less poor games for him to be dropped than it will for Rooney or Sterling.
Mata has been as good as any in the league over the past 24 months or so. He has to justify his performances more than some others because his brand isn't considered as big in my opinion.
Please send him to:
Manchester United
Sir Matt Busby Way
Old Trafford
Manchester
M16 0RA
Cheers in advance!
Good post.
Yep he was one of Chelsea's best players. I'm pretty sure we will see the best if Juan Mata now that we have a good midfield behind him. I thought he was very good in the number 10. role yesterday.
Yep spot on. I think van Gaal rates him highly, he has started every game, which is positive for us because he is our best number 10 and a fantastic player.
I see Ollie Holt is making a bit of a fool of himself on twitter, comparing Mata's assists for Chelsea to his 4 so far for United, apparently not realising it works out as a very similar assist to game ratio. Not to mention his superior goals to game ratio for us too. Clown!
I think it was also so that RVP could get a full 90 mins because he didnt get a proper pre season.I think LvG subbed Mata because he wanted to try Rooney as a 10. Hopefully he saw enough to know that although Rooney can play there, it's definitely not his best position, and Mata really is a class above as a 10. Although maybe he wanted RvP to get another yellow so he wouldn't have a difficult decision to make in the next match
Couldn't believe it when I read it. He has rightly been called out by several journalists.
With such dangerous players around him he has the space to do his thing, defenses can't key on him.
When he has that bit of time and space he's great, definitely better than Rooney playing behind the striker(s).
I'm curious who will back him up, hoping it's Januzaj or Lingard.
When he has that bit of time and space he's great, definitely better than Rooney playing behind the striker(s).
I'm curious who will back him up, hoping it's Januzaj or Lingard.
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I thought he played well yesterday. Kept it simple in possession but took up intelligent positions and kept the ball ticking. He also gets himself in the box, its been a long time since we had a goal scoring midfielder.
Holt's been on one since he claimed we lost our soul by selling Welbeck, he seems to have lost all perspective when it comes to United. I understood the journalists speculating about Mata before the QPR game, but why go there after Mata played so well yesterday? Strange...
One Hour Behind - Blog
On the right path
September 15th, 2014
Hi everyone,
I have been looking forward to this for a long time: writing on a Sunday evening just to show how excited we are in the team. On the pitch we could exhibit the team’s potential and we enjoyed our game, and I also have to thank our fans for always being there, for their trust and support. Beating QPR is only one game, that’s pretty clear to me, but I also hope it is going to start a good streak that will take us far, to the place where we want to be.
In the last few weeks I have been telling you that we are working very well in the training sessions. With so many new players and a new football style we need time to adjust to each other. It takes time to bear fruit but I knew that was going to happen. We keep working on it and a victory like this one against QPR comes to show that we are on the right path.
Personally, playing alongside guys like Blind, Rojo or Falcao is a joy. They will become more and more adjusted to the team and their quality will help us a lot. We have been working together for a few days now, getting to know each other, and I’m sure we will be a better team as weeks go by. As regards to Di María, it seems he’s been with us for a long time. Ángel is a very enthusiastic guy, a great signing. After the game I gave to him the MVP trophy and improvised as his translator for the TV. He looks happy and that makes us happy as well.
Now we have a week to prepare the next game against Leicester and to keep working together as a team. I was looking forward to enjoy a week like this after a good result.
In Spain, the most remarkable game of the weekend was the derby in Madrid. Atlético beat Real with a goal from a player I really like: Arda Turan. Pure talent.
Before I say goodbye I would like to congratulate the girls of theSpanish national team after qualifying for the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever. Good luck in Canada! And I send all my support to our national teams of basketball and tennis; soon we will be celebrating your success again, I’m sure of that!
Thank you for your support and for congratulating me after my goal
Keep it up!
Have a nice week.
Hugs, Juan
Great talent, can't see how anyone could rather Rooney as a 10.
He's probably more of a goalscorer than a creator, he's Lampard like.
He wasn't for Chelsea, he got about 30 assists over the 3 seasons there. I'd imagine he'll improve for us in that regard.
He's almost a false nine for us, but yeah, he was assist king for Chelsea.
He has still yet to turn up in a big game for us and often has been anonymous in most big games so i'll hold off with lavishing him with praise for his QPR performance for now. He has always looked top class against weaker teams but seems to lack pace and hunger when the pressure is on....I really would love if he can kick on and eventually become a big influence in big games though...The jury is still out
Nah, he's contributed more than anyone the past nine months.
I can understand that his performances might not have been as stellar as expected, but at the end of the day the actual purpose of football is to create and score goals. No one has done that more effectively than him since he got here. Ignoring that seems like over thinking it. It's like saying the jury's still out on Neil Armstrong 'cos he just sat there during the launch. Dude got to the moon. That was point.
It was beautiful!
I really hope Mata does not end up as the 'odd man out' after the recent spending frenzy
He is a fantastic player and we have definitely not seen the best of him yet
He is a fantastic player and we have definitely not seen the best of him yet
His quality looks like and really should prove enough to keep him in the team.
At the risk of letting my man love go too far, I was just watching the game again and his goal, whilst simple, it really was such a clever finish. Got the ball out of his feet, he knows the keeper is going to make himself big and make Mata choose a side and to just lift it perfectly over him was great to watch.
Remember the preseason clip of LvG telling players to look up and wait for the keeper to make his move because finishing? Probably has something to do with Mata's smart finish.
It looked like Mata was playing centrally and Rooney&RVP were moving to the side of the pitch. His positioning is very good around the box but I think RVP should be staying central in that formation. The same goes for Falcao.
His goal/game in the last 10 games is exceptional. Really is an excellent little poacher. Would like to see a bit more of the creativity he's supposed to be bringing to the team but can't knock his goal threat.
I think the creativity will come as he finally gets to play with players on his level. The passing of Blind, Herrera and even Rojo and the runs and movement of Falcao will make sure the player who comes straight from the Xavi/Iniesta mould will have a great season at United. I am wholly convinced of this. I'll be very disappointed if we let him go.
- Status