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2014-15 Performances

View full 2014-15 profile

6.0 Season Average Rating
Appearances
35
Goals
10
Assists
4
Yellow cards
2
Status
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ISSYNAZAR said:
He was very timid today though, the easy option was his choice more often than not.

I never thought I would say it but him and van Persie in the same team just doesn't work. In terms of pace and athleticism something has to give either way and the pair of them have their deficiencies in this regard.

I think they're both fantastic but both are luxuries who were brought in illogically with very short term views. I do hope there is a way to squeeze more out of Mata, because I don't think there are many in his position who can be as productive.
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The easy option thing, I wouldn't be surprised if it's down to the 'mistakes' RVP was talking about, ones the team has analysed, in reference to LVG's words about 'defending is not just about defenders'. You know, losing ball in attack and getting killed in counter ( just like in Leicester's game ). I rather have him and his assist and those 'easy' options ( that are still moving the ball forward ) than mindless attacking when we should be controlling the game. Today we've been doing it untill the last 15 or so minutes when, again, we've started to lose our shit for some reason.

Our front three today was disappointing though, it has to be said. Falcao missed some chances he's had ( diving header and that poor shot after di Maria's fantastic backheel ), RVP seems to be off-pace all the time and Mata did nothing spectacular. In the end though, Falcao got a goal and Mata got an assist.
 
RedorDead21 said:
Err if you are not aware of LVG being a huge believer in best form of defence is attack you really need to look at our 2 striker formation again at the expense of a midfielder.....
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and didn't the same LVG challenge DiMaria (the same DiMaria who has been BY FAR our best player this season) to try and improve the defensive side of his game.

Mata makes DiMaria look like Jaap Stam in a defensive capacity.
 
This is not the same as Kagawa. Mata is a much better player, no question.

This one game for me doesn't change much. Rooney has been very good this season as well though. Both are top players, and people picking sides is crazy.
 
Stack said:
I think we need "squad" players of as high a quality as possible. If we want to win the champions league again we need the depth in positions the likes of Mata gives us otherwise we may as well keep players like Cleverley. The more depth in quality the more pressure on 1st choice players to perform. We need to keep Mata and players of his ability because we need depth in quality to be able to win trophies.

BTW what is it about Mata that doesnt suit LVG's philosophy?
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I know what you mean, and I'm happy for Mata to stay here, as long as he's happy on the bench, but it's quite obvious he isn't, as he left Chelsea for the same reason. Therefore, if we were to get a 38M bid, which I very much doubt we would, I think Van Gaal would snap the teams hand off.

As for the philosophy, Van Gaal, like many managers nowadays, like their players to press high and work tremendously hard off the ball. Mata, as good as he is on it, struggles off it, and this hardly comes as a surprise as he was dropped by Mourinho for the same thing.

Compare Oscars work ethic to Ozil's today. Little things like that (well, it's hardly little) make a massive difference.

If we could get a creative player who works very hard off the ball, I wouldn't think twice about swapping him with Juan.
 
No need to sell, even if he is not first choice. When we are back to 2 games a week next year, bench players of the quality of Mata will be useful. Like Isco at Real Madrid.
 
Uzz said:
We won't see the best out of Mata unless he's playing behind one striker. With two up top, a lot of his space is already occupied when the play is moving forward. It's a shame as he won't be able to truly shine (and we'll persist with two up top).
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Well, if Januzaj passes Van Persie as an attacking option, this could be our CL/Tough Prem Games lineup by next season:

-------Falcao/Rooney-----
----------Mata-----Januzaj
DiMaria--Herrera---------
-----------Blind-----------
 
Kostur said:
That's a pretty well written article. Wasn't aware that Rooney is still banned for the Chelsea match, RVP and Falcao better pick up their form.
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Albeit a bit biased over Mata and Rooney. As much as I like Mata Rooney looks head and shoulders above Mata in that position (10) this season.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
If we could get a creative player who works very hard off the ball, I wouldn't think twice about swapping him with Juan.
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Hmm, like maybe Kagawa then? That's the problem with the English game though, where creative attacking midfielders are required to work like dogs instead of concentrate on the attacking side. The worlds best attacking midfielders were not the most hardworking. Zidane, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Riquelme etc. always had someone else behind them doing the defensive work so that they can concentrate on playmaking. In the English game however..
 
Freak said:
Hmm, like maybe Kagawa then? That's the problem with the English game though, where creative attacking midfielders are required to work like dogs instead of concentrate on the attacking side. The worlds best attacking midfielders were not the most hardworking. Zidane, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Riquelme etc. always had someone else behind them doing the defensive work so that they can concentrate on playmaking. In the English game however..
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If Mata showed even half the creativity as some of those you mentioned Van Gaal wouldn't drop him. 3 of the players you mentioned are ballon d'or winners and Riqueme never did well for a top team and he was more of a playmker than Mata will ever be.
 
He should have been involved more imo and seemed a bit slow. Let's see how he does in the next couple of games but anyways, he wont displace Rooney
 
He will be lucky to play the next two games, he can’t start against Chelsea if we play two up front, we will have to go with Di Maria or Herrera (if fit) if we want to play Falcao and RVP. Chelsea will rip us apart otherwise, having 3 players who can’t defend is just asking for trouble, if you have a lone striker and a number 10 in behind they don’t have to be great defensively but in this diamond the number 10 has to work hard or the midfield is too exposed which is exactly what happened against Everton, and even though Mata is willing he just isn’t capable of doing it.

The current formation would have been much more suited to Kagawa, I am not saying he is a better player but overall he would have offered a lot more in the position Mata played yesterday.
 
Uzz said:
We won't see the best out of Mata unless he's playing behind one striker. With two up top, a lot of his space is already occupied when the play is moving forward. It's a shame as he won't be able to truly shine (and we'll persist with two up top).
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He'll do well if one of those strikers was Rooney. Rooney's habit of roaming and ability to drop deep will create space for Mata (see QPR) but when you have two classic #9s the space is not there.
 
I just wish he would shoot more often. Too many times he's been in good positions and tried to play a pass rather than take a shot. This isn't Arsenal buddy, take a shot or two.
 
Would everyone chill out and just hug it out?

Hi everyone,

What an important win this weekend against Everton! And for many reasons: it is one more consecutive victory in Old Trafford; it means three points to climb to the top four of the table; winning is the best possible way to face an international break; and many other things. It was a key game but we know there is still a long way ahead. Because we won the match but once again we suffered until the last minute, and perhaps we should have controlled the game better. We took the lead thanks to Ángel and then David started his amazing performance. First he saved Baines’ penalty. In the second half they tied the game and later on Radamel scored (I am very happy for you, the first one of many more goals, I’m sure). And then David did several extraordinary saves to keep the three points at home. What a superb performance! It seems his new haircut brought him luck…!

As the manager said we know we have to improve, but little by little we are climbing the table and I’m sure we will keep doing that with your support, always fantastic in Old Trafford.

In la Liga, Valencia has started really well as I could see on Saturday. It’s not easy to make three goals against Atlético, and in just 15 minutes. The renovation of the team looks good from here. No wonder the fans are so excited. And Negredo hasn’t made his debut yet… I’m very happy for them!

Barça and Real Madrid won their games the way they use to. The former haven’t received a goal yet, that’s something commendable, whereas Ancelotti’s team keeps showing a big attacking power.

I don’t forget about Eibar and that stunning goal from Saúl Berjón! Of course he is from Asturias! ;-) If you haven’t seen it yet, you should do it. It’s good that you can find wonders like that anywhere, regardless of how big the budget of a club is.

Out of football, I want to send a big hug to the Formula One world and especially to Jules Bianchi’s family. I hope he recovers soon of the horrible accident he suffered in Japan. And congratulations to the Spanish basketball team, runner-up of the womens world championship. As it happened in the mens championship, USA was the better team by far.

I’m starting a new week full of energy and looking forward to keep winning games and enjoying myself on the pitch. I hope you have a great start of the week too. I shall see you around here next Monday.

Hugs,

Juan
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Considering he only says generic things I still always enjoy reading that blog :D

You would think more players would now go down the Blog route to, Unless they do and I just don't notice
 
iBoss said:
This is not the same as Kagawa. Mata is a much better player, no question.

This one game for me doesn't change much. Rooney has been very good this season as well though. Both are top players, and people picking sides is crazy.
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I don't think he's a much better player. Probably better, but not that much.
And I think it's very similar to Kagawa:

Two players being put into a system very different from the one at their old clubs, and being expected to play the David Silva-esque dictating role, which they can't do.
Both are instinctive players who need to pretty much play as second-strikers in a system that gets the ball from back to front quickly, and when asked to play the possession game like Silva, they just try to play with too much measure and precision - taking away from that instinctive nature. And both lack the ability to hold onto the ball like a proper no.10.
 
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"I SHALL see you around here next Monday"

LvG already influencing the way they talk!
 
I thought he played well. He isn't as good defensively as Rooney:(, but he's a more creative player and retains the ball better.
 
If he doesn't improve very quickly tactically, he will be a big liability against WBA away and Chelsea. He's neat but just don't good enough when we don't have the ball.
 
So Mourinho was right after all ... Right now I'd rather play Januzaj as a 10 than him.
 
Freak said:
Hmm, like maybe Kagawa then?

That's the problem with the English game though, where creative attacking midfielders are required to work like dogs instead of concentrate on the attacking side.

The worlds best attacking midfielders were not the most hardworking. Zidane, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Riquelme etc. always had someone else behind them doing the defensive work so that they can concentrate on playmaking. In the English game however..
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Kagawa might have been a better option, as he's cheaper, on less wages, and does work hard off the ball.

I disagree. It's got nothing to do with the 'English game', but more the way the game is going nowadays. You look at the top teams in Europe, and very few of those teams carry passengers. Athletico, Real, Bayern, Dortmund, etc. Heck, even look at the Barca team under Pep. As good as they were on the ball, when they didn't have it, they'd work like 'dogs' to win it back.

You talk about Zidane, Ronaldinho, etc, but the games moved on a lot since then, and if they were playing in this era, they'd have to work hard too, or like Mata, would probably find it hard to get into their teams.
 
I might be too harsh, but it really annoys me how he tends to drop in line with our 2 strikers whenever we need an attacking ball played. I would very much prefer a player alike Silva who's always buzzing around the ball ready to offer himself as a short option. Doesn't seem to have the quick turn or change of pace to take a defender out of the equation either like Kagawa and Silva which might be why people say he slows our play. When he comes deep for the ball, it's only to lay it square or backwards. There's no surprise change of direction, feinting, or taking on a man. His assist makes him a stat player but IMO he could be heaps more involved in build up play.
 
LeftyBlaster said:
I might be too harsh, but it really annoys me how he tends to drop in line with our 2 strikers whenever we need an attacking ball played. I would very much prefer a player alike Silva who's always buzzing around the ball ready to offer himself as a short option. Doesn't seem to have the quick turn or change of pace to take a defender out of the equation either like Kagawa and Silva which might be why people say he slows our play. When he comes deep for the ball, it's only to lay it square or backwards. There's no surprise change of direction, feinting, or taking on a man. His assist makes him a stat player but IMO he could be heaps more involved in build up play.
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He's not great at holding the ball in the congested areas.
It's always got to be short and snappy with him. As soon as defenders are in and around him, he releases it quickly. He may not give it away and the ball might reach it's target, but as a no. 10 you really need to be confident holding the ball under pressure and carrying the ball out from those areas. Making the ball stick when you receive it.

Mata can see a pass, and he can link up play, but you just can't play the game through him properly if he's not going to hold and carry the ball.
A Silva type no.10 is exactly what we need. It would transform this side, but obviously they are extremely rare to find.
 
Speak said:
He's not great at holding the ball in the congested areas.
It's always got to be short and snappy with him. As soon as defenders are in and around him, he releases it quickly. He may not give it away and the ball might reach it's target, but as a no. 10 you really need to be confident holding the ball under pressure and carrying the ball out from those areas. Making the ball stick when you receive it.

Mata can see a pass, and he can link up play, but you just can't play the game through him properly if he's not going to hold and carry the ball.
A Silva type no.10 is exactly what we need. It would transform this side, but obviously they are extremely rare to find.
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That's the point I was driving at. Playing at the tip of the diamond, I'd prefer a Silva-esque player instead of Mata who plays like a striker. We need someone who's always on the look out for the telling or killer ball through. Maybe the closest player in the league in that mould that might be remotely gettable is Christian Eriksen.
 
I am a bit concerned about the way he can get caught in possession and just falls over. Could lead to trouble against the likes of Chelsea or City.
 
GloryHunter07 said:
I am a bit concerned about the way he can get caught in possession and just falls over. Could lead to trouble against the likes of Chelsea or City.
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A big concern for me. Can see Matic and Fernando/Fernandinho just bullying him physically. Rooney is at least harder to knock off the ball.
 
GloryHunter07 said:
I am a bit concerned about the way he can get caught in possession and just falls over. Could lead to trouble against the likes of Chelsea or City.
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He's not releasing the ball as quickly as he should and is capable of doing. He needs to start using his head a lot more, or we're going to run into a lot of trouble in the upcoming big games. It's vital that we keep hold of the ball with our defence looking so vulnerable.
 
Seeing Oscar's defensive shift against Arsenal goes a long way to explain why Mourinho let him go. He's a fantastic footballer, but if we keep playing with two strikers we will need a lot more presence when we don't have the ball and Mata just doesn't fit the bill at the moment.
 
Hellboy said:
Seeing Oscar's defensive shift against Arsenal goes a long way to explain why Mourinho let him go. He's a fantastic footballer, but if we keep playing with two strikers we will need a lot more presence when we don't have the ball and Mata just doesn't fit the bill at the moment.
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I think that's why Rooney may need to play instead if we persevere with two strikers. The work-rate and tracking back isn't perhaps as important with one striker, but when you've got two up front then you're going to need someone who can put in a high work ethic unless he's ridiculously good to the point where his attacking contribution can heavily outweigh his lack of a defensive one. Not only does Mata's not, but he hasn't been all that good at all even as an attacker when he's played lately.
 
Unusually wasteful in the final third yesterday which was surprising. I expect better against West Brom. In our front three Rooney is a priority given his added dynamism and we, and Mata, missed him yesterday.
 
One thing that really annoyed me about yesterday is the positions he was taking up. There was acres of space between Blind and the spaces that RVP/Falcao were operating in, but rather then dropping into those pockets and getting control of the ball, he was constantly running into the space already occupied by the strikers. He was virtually playing as a 3rd striker at times. I've actually been really surprised, and pleased, that Rooney hasn't been doing that to much. He's been dropping a lot deeper then we've seen with Wayne as a #10 usually, and it helps the team hugely. I'm not sure why Mata wasn't doing that yesterday tbh, its the kind of space Silva/Ozil love, and thrive in, and I expected that would be the same of Mata when we signed him, but apparently not.
 
Sam said:
One thing that really annoyed me about yesterday is the positions he was taking up. There was acres of space between Blind and the spaces that RVP/Falcao were operating in, but rather then dropping into those pockets and getting control of the ball, he was constantly running into the space already occupied by the strikers. He was virtually playing as a 3rd striker at times. I've actually been really surprised, and pleased, that Rooney hasn't been doing that to much. He's been dropping a lot deeper then we've seen with Wayne as a #10 usually, and it helps the team hugely. I'm not sure why Mata wasn't doing that yesterday tbh, its the kind of space Silva/Ozil love, and thrive in, and I expected that would be the same of Mata when we signed him, but apparently not.
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It's true. I've said for a while, the guy's pretty much a second striker.
He's got nice technique and he can link up play, but he's all about getting close to the strikers. You wont find him dictating play and taking the ball on constantly and holding it like Silva.

The few times he does make a proper effort to dictate play, he ends up slowing the game down and passing sidewards/backwards, like Kagawa.
 
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Pogue Mahone said:
Wasn't it @Ekeke who spent years talking up Mata as being far better than Silva when they were both linked with PL moves. Could he have been any more wrong?
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To be fair 1) They both moved to England about 3/4 years ago, so back then it's not crazy to think they were closer in quality, as neither are as good as they are now... and 2) Not being as good as Silva isn't much of a criticism, he's the best player in the league.
 
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