[Devil may care]

If the plan is to eventually transition to 4-3-3 then I don't see a place for Mata, I can definitely see him and one the strikers not named Rooney being sold next summer.

 

[Vato]

His endless apologizing on twitter is cringeworthy

What's cringeworthy about apologizing to the fans for a loss? Would you prefer if he didn't give a shit?

 

[Borys]

I thought it was a good decision to play Rooney ahead of Mata against Leicester, who were extremely physical. IMO we shouldn’t be playing RVP in that game but I understand that we are still in the period of trying to accommodate all of our best players on the pitch at the same time.


Still, I don’t think we missed him in that game. Rooney was pretty good I thought.

 

[Speak]

If the plan is to eventually transition to 4-3-3 then I don't see a place for Mata, I can definitely see him and one the strikers not named Rooney being sold next summer.

I can see this. Like you say, he doesn't fit that system, but it's still a system worth moving towards, so so be it.

 

[DocRockter]

Very annoying that the newspapers have started to make stories based only on his blog.. To me it's very lazy journalism and even BBC and SSN are doing it now.

 

[Devil may care]

I can see this. Like you say, he doesn't fit that system, but it's still a system worth moving towards, so so be it.

I agree, I like Mata but I think moving towards 4-3-3 is the best option.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Perhaps the fact he was a Moyes' signing will hurt him? I dunno, as much as I rate him I fully expect van Gaal to utilise Rooney as the no. 10 behind van Persie and Falcao. Hope I'm wrong though, he's a world class goalscorer.

 

[Cooksen]

Perhaps the fact he was a Moyes' signing will hurt him? I dunno, as much as I rate him I fully expect van Gaal to utilise Rooney as the no. 10 behind van Persie and Falcao. Hope I'm wrong though, he's a world class goalscorer.

Herrera is considered a number 10 by Van Gaal.

That is why he wants Strootman, 1 DM, 1 Box To box and 1 AM who will drop deep and defend as well as attack.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Herrera is considered a number 10 by Van Gaal.

That is why he wants Strootman, 1 DM, 1 Box To box and 1 AM who will drop deep and defend as well as attack.

Long-term, yeah, I see us going 4-3-3. So you'd have a midfield three of Blind, Strootman and Herrera. With a front three of di Maria, Rooney and Januzaj.

 

[acnumber9]

Long-term, yeah, I see us going 4-3-3. So you'd have a midfield three of Blind, Strootman and Herrera. With a front three of di Maria, Rooney and Januzaj.

That would weaken our attack considerably. Unless Januzaj develops the ability to score a lot of goals there'd be far too much pressure on Rooney.

 

[ZDwyr]

The whole "Moyes signing" thing being a negative is so absurd. Even with the Fellaini case too. Why should it even matter?

 

[Devil may care]

That would weaken our attack considerably. Unless Januzaj develops the ability to score a lot of goals there'd be far too much pressure on Rooney.

Well I think LvG is expecting Adnan to develop in the scoring department and it wouldn't surprise me if we brought in a wide forward capable of scoring plenty to add to the front 3 options.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

All this talk about what will happen if/when we switch systems and what that will mean for certain players. If a long term switch to 433 occurs, I don't think it should affect Mata, hopefully we will be in Europe and any squad will be stronger with his quality. van Gaal is a manager who will change things and if he wants a number 10, he is a great option to have. He is still on the young side too, so he definitely has a future regardless of what formation is used.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

I was not too happy when we sold Kagawa but at least I thought this should Mata help to settle as our 10. Would prefer him + Rooney + either Falcao or RvP at top.
He has several problems though:

Hefty price tag after being sorted out by Mourinho
Similar to Kagawa he does not look too strong physically - this impression is boosted by the fact that he does not seem to be our fastest player
Can`t see anyone out of Rooney/RvP/Falcao being dropped in the long run
He is not as versatile as others (eg Herrera who can play as 10 but also as box-to-box)

However I believe Mata could shine for us as soon as he is more familiar with di Maria, Herrera and Falcao. He has great vision and an eye for the killer pass. Great little footballer he is...

 

[Adam-Utd]

I can see the decision to drop Mata against Leicester, as it was a fast tempo end to end game which wouldn't have suited him.

I am worried though that LVG did state he was not happy with Rooney as a striker, and not happy with Mata as a midfielder.

 

[itso 7]

I can see the decision to drop Mata against Leicester, as it was a fast tempo end to end game which wouldn't have suited him.

I am worried though that LVG did state he was not happy with Rooney as a striker, and not happy with Mata as a midfielder.

That statement loses any semblance of credibility when you take into account RVP's form and overall play, how can someone be unhappy with Rooney as a striker when his partner is as gash as Van Persie has been? Van Persie should have been the first to drop out if form was coming into play.
Secondly dropping Mata in the long run is a shortsighted decision imo, why drop a twenty six year old highly productive player for a player approaching thirty-two, with a dodgy fitness record and who looks to be on the wane ?

 

[Adam-Utd]

That statement loses any semblance of credibility when you take into account RVP's form and overall play, how can someone be unhappy with Rooney as a striker when his partner is as gash as Van Persie has been? Van Persie should have been the first to drop out if form was coming into play.
Secondly dropping Mata in the long run is a shortsighted decision imo, why drop a twenty six year old highly productive player for a player approaching thirty-two, with a dodgy fitness record and who looks to be on the wane ?

I don't know. I guess it's the way that Rooney moves. Maybe LVG does not like his strikers to drop deep and act as a 10, rather than lead the last man etc. He clearly likes RVP.

 

[Coxy]

I don't know. I guess it's the way that Rooney moves. Maybe LVG does not like his strikers to drop deep and act as a 10, rather than lead the last man etc. He clearly likes RVP.

Which is worrying isn't it? When he plays someone who is playing crap at the mo - and dropping someone who is playing well?

Mata should be a starter for you.

 

[Kostur]

I can see the decision to drop Mata against Leicester, as it was a fast tempo end to end game which wouldn't have suited him.

I am worried though that LVG did state he was not happy with Rooney as a striker, and not happy with Mata as a midfielder.

This is the main problem of that game. We've let a bloody newcommer play a 'fast tempo end to end' game that you'd expect us to play against, don't know, Real Madrid or City, not fecking Leicester.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This is the main problem of that game. We've let a bloody newcommer play a 'fast tempo end to end' game that you'd expect us to play against, don't know, Real Madrid or City, not fecking Leicester.

Leicester are no mugs. They've drawn with Everton and also taken Chelsea to the wire at the bridge. On another day with better finishing they could have comfortably scored a few.

I agree it was a poor collapse, but they are actually a good team in great form IMO.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Which is worrying isn't it? When he plays someone who is playing crap at the mo - and dropping someone who is playing well?

Mata should be a starter for you.

Mata's overall contribution hasn't been amazing so far this season, to be fair. Looked good against QPR but who didn't?

RvP has been awful though. Probably the only United player who didn't even impress against QPR. No idea what he has to do to get dropped.

 

[Kostur]

Leicester are no mugs. They've drawn with Everton and also taken Chelsea to the wire at the bridge. On another day with better finishing they could have comfortably scored a few.

I agree it was a poor collapse, but they are actually a good team in great form IMO.

Agree about being in great form but fecking hell, it sounds pathetic that our players are bending over just because some team is in form, what will happen if City or Chelski hit their form? They'll steamroll us 5-3.

I think that Mata would've slowed things down in that game and let us play possession football rather than the end-to-end one we've all witnessed.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Agree about being in great form but fecking hell, it sounds pathetic that our players are bending over just because some team is in form, what will happen if City or Chelski hit their form? They'll steamroll us 5-3.

I think that Mata would've slowed things down in that game and let us play possession football rather than the end-to-end one we've all witnessed.

That's probably why Van Gaal subbed him on but is that really Mata's style?

He's a really attacking player, who constantly looks to get forward. Never seen him as someone to put his foot on the ball and slow things down. If anything, the opposite.

 

[Nighteyes]

Mata is not David Silva. He cannot control or dictate the tempo of a game.

 

[Kostur]

That's probably why Van Gaal subbed him on but is that really Mata's style?

He's a really attacking player, who constantly looks to get forward. Never seen him as someone to put his foot on the ball and slow things down. If anything, the opposite.

He's subbed him when it was 3-3 already, right ? Everybody went to shit then, it was pretty much game over. And can't really agree with the second point of yours.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's subbed him when it was 3-3 already, right ? Everybody went to shit then, it was pretty much game over. And can't really agree with the second point of yours.

At 3-3 we badly needed someone to get a hold of the ball knock it round a bit and generally slow things down. Still lots of time for us to get a winner but it was all far too frantic.

I think Mata was brought on to be that calming influence. Didn't work, though.

 

[That'sHernandez]

How would I go about finding out the odds on Mata to leave United?

 

[Ducklegs]

He is a bit lightweight is the only description you can reliably put on him.

You really cant ask him to do anything other than just float around up top near the strikers and look to play it forward or get in the box late, as he just hasnt got it in him.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

He is a bit lightweight is the only description you can reliably put on him.

You really cant ask him to do anything other than just float around up top near the strikers and look to play it forward or get in the box late, as he just hasnt got it in him.

So all you can say about Mata is that he is lightweight?

 

[FacerTheRed]

He is a bit lightweight is the only description you can reliably put on him.

You really cant ask him to do anything other than just float around up top near the strikers and look to play it forward or get in the box late, as he just hasnt got it in him.

lightweight? whats that suppose to mean, that he's not physical enough? granted he's not strong on the ball but his pro's makes up for it, can linkup with players around him so much quicker than the likes of Rooney, has great spacial awareness, brilliant skills with the ball, provides great movement off the ball and score goals. Condemning him for making a unfair mistake against Leicester is harsh considering he came on as a sub and didnt settle in the pace of the game quick enough. Leicester were pump full of adrenaline with the comeback when Uniteds morale was waaaay down.

 

[Ducklegs]

lightweight? whats that suppose to mean, that he's not physical enough? granted he's not strong on the ball but his pro's makes up for it, can linkup with players around him so much quicker than the likes of Rooney, has great spacial awareness, brilliant skills with the ball, provides great movement off the ball and score goals. Condemning him for making a unfair mistake against Leicester is harsh considering he came on as a sub and didnt settle in the pace of the game quick enough. Leicester were pump full of adrenaline with the comeback when Uniteds morale was waaaay down.

How did you manage to extrapolate that, from what I said?

You've managed to come up with a whole argument by yourself.

 

[Ducklegs]

So all you can say about Mata is that he is lightweight?

Yes.
lightweight player, he is never going to track back reliably, isnt going to pressurize defenders over the course of match, is not going to go into a challenge, you play him in and around the strikers doing what he wants.

That does not mean he isnt excellent at what he does, but is that, on its own, enough to justify his place in the team week in week out.

I would say, I want a bit more from a player in that position, certainly when it comes to dropping back into the center.

 

[FacerTheRed]

How did you manage to extrapolate that, from what I said?

You've managed to come up with a whole argument by yourself.

i was making a detailed point to you that he doesnt just "float" around up top, like he doesnt do anything impressive. You mentioned his major flaw but didnt acknowledge what he brings more to the squad. What im saying is dont judge a player before weighing the pros & cons. His tracking back is a liability at times but in attacking terms just out weighs that con.

 

[Sam]

Mata's overall contribution hasn't been amazing so far this season, to be fair. Looked good against QPR but who didn't?

RvP has been awful though. Probably the only United player who didn't even impress against QPR. No idea what he has to do to get dropped.

Well thats clearly not true. He's not been great, but he's not been awful. Awful would be your boy Rooney, when he's going through one of his regular, couldn't control a football to save his life routines.

But hey, your agenda against any player not called Rooney has recently reached new heights, with you seemingly spending most of your time on here just defending Rooney and putting every other player down.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Well thats clearly not true. He's not been great, but he's not been awful. Awful would be your boy Rooney, when he's going through one of his regular, couldn't control a football to save his life routines.

But hey, your agenda against any player not called Rooney has recently reached new heights, with you seemingly spending most of your time on here just defending Rooney and putting every other player down.

Yeah, once I typed that I thought it was a little harsh.

He's been well below par though and yes, he's been considerably worse than Rooney and is the attacking player most deserving of being dropped.

Your last sentence is horseshit by the way. Have a look at what I've posted about Jones, Hererra, Blind and Di Maria. Those four plus Rooney aside, remind me who else has put in performances worthy of praise this season?

 

[Ducklegs]

i was making a detailed point to you that he doesnt just "float" around up top, like he doesnt do anything impressive. You mentioned his major flaw but didnt acknowledge what he brings more to the squad. What im saying is dont judge a player before weighing the pros & cons. His tracking back is a liability at times but in attacking terms just out weighs that con.

It's exactly what he does, you are arguing about something that isnt even being discussed.

 

[Muffled funk]

How would I go about finding out the odds on Mata to leave United?

I too was looking this as I heard, Mata was buying a flat for his dad in Manchester, they have been putting off completing on the purchase for the last month or so. Word has it from the agent who organised the deal that Mata may be leaving, so of course it makes no sense for him to buy his dad a flat in a place where Mata won't be any longer.

Of course there could be other reasons he pulled out but speculation is Mata may be leaving.

 

[RedStarUnited]

For about 65 mins, LVG decision was vindicated. Falcao set up RVP, RVP kind of set up ADM for the 3rd goal. We were creating enough chances up to that point too.

Now let me firstly say, I want Mata to start. But, I can sort of see why RVP keeps starting games. If you watch the games, RVP is still making world class movements and runs. Di Maria keeps slotting him in atleast once every game because RVP is making the right runs. I can imagine LVG is the type of guy to see these things and think - as long as he keeps making those runs, his finishing will come back. This is just what I think is keeping RVP in the team. Rooney being captain means he plays more than most, we had to give Falcao his debut at some point...

 

[mufcwarm92]

Letting one of very few genuine world class number 10s leave in order to accommodate a pair of past it strikers would be the worst mistake we ever make. He's slap bang in his prime and if we continue to bench him he won't stick around much longer.

 

[ZDwyr]

I don't think he'll be leaving. LvG will realise that RvP is declining (a little rapidly it seems) and make sure that Mata stays and Rooney will be playing up-front with Falcao.