For some maybe, but Fellaini still has a long way to go IMO and regardless I don't want to see him as a regular starter for us.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
For some maybe, but Fellaini still has a long way to go IMO and regardless I don't want to see him as a regular starter for us.
Agreed but it just shows how quickly opinion can change.
Depends on the kind of assist. If it is a free kick it wouldn't change much. If it is a nice bit of 'no. 10' play then it most definitely would.
Did himself no favours in the last game. Probably why he's on the bench.
Can't say he was missed today, but on the whole, with Falcao out, I'd rather see Rooney up top with Mata behind him (and RVP on the bench.)
I thought he had a good first half against Chelsea, and according to Michael Cox (who watches out for these kinds of things,) he played is part in shutting down Chelsea's midfield.
I think he is not part of van Gaal's long term plans. will be surprised if he is here in the summer.
Hope to see him back for the Palace match. At Old Trafford, against a Palace side without Jedinak in the middle, he should find plenty of space to exploit.
With the 433 LVG is playing, if Rooney stay fit for the rest of the season and is available to play every game, where does Mata fit in?
He doesn't, especially since we also need to get Di Maria back central as well.
Yeah, he doesn't really fit a 433. He also doesn't really work as a number 10 in a high-line, possession based system.
He's a nice guy and all that, and if he's happy to be a versatile rotational option, then great. Otherwise I don't see where he fits in really, and it'll probably be best to move him on, and use the money to get in somebody who fits better.
He's a nice guy and all that, and if he's happy to be a versatile rotational option, then great. Otherwise I don't see where he fits in really, and it'll probably be best to move him on, and use the money to get in somebody who fits better.
IF he was to leave, where can people see him going? Another team in England or maybe back to Spain?
Of the Spanish teams who'd have him, almost none can afford him. I don't see Simeone valuing him any more than Mourinho did.
We wouldn't sell to Liverpool. Tottenham don't really need him, but I think he'd be a decent at both. I think the PSG ship has sailed.
Maybe Napoli? Maybe cut price to Valencia?
Back to Valencia maybe now that they're out of their financial woes?
Yeah I was struggling to think of any real options. If Napoli or an Italian team is his only options then he would probably like to stay and try and work himself into the team in some way. Although maybe he would happily go to Juventus out of all the Italian sides.
Yeah, I could see a move to Juventus happening.
Is it just me or do we play more fluid football when Mata is in the side? Think he facilitates free flowing football better as a 10 than Rooney but the latter offers a better workrate and more defensive cover which we sorely need.
Probably just you.
I think Januzaj, Di Maria and Rooney all have a lot similar qualities. I'd like to see a more composed presence, like Mata, in the final third to balance that out.
The backlash against Mata has been a bit extreme. Its like he has been awful for ages. OK so he hasnt reached the heights he showed at Chelsea for us yet but only a month ago he was generally regarded as our best number 10, I dont see why a few poor games should change that so fundamentally. It is unfortunate he wasnt in the form to capitalise on the opportunity Rooney's absence presented him, but it doesnt prove he wont make it here. Id still like to see him get games in his preferred position with Rooney ahead of him. He can also play in wide areas cant he? I know it isnt his preferred position but given Rooney's undroppable status and the quality of our options up front (assuming Falcao comes back at some point and delivers in line with expectations) he might have to seize his chances when they come out wide.
Problem is that while he's perhaps more composed, it's not worth anything if he isn't using that composure to deliver anything at all.
Juve or Valencia or even Atletico IMO, and probably January since he isnt cup tied, as right now he will only devalue.
Dont think it'll be for anything like the fee we got though, probably around the mid 20's.
Ah cheers for clearing that up mate.
That was one of those situations where the stock of a player rises the longer and longer he's not played in his position of choice. Almost as though every poor to middling display when slightly out of position is evidence of how awesome he would be if only he could occupy a different area of the pitch. Never really bought into that logic myself.
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The collection of forwards at United is not the most ideal.
Rooney is and isn't a CF...whereas Mata is not the typical no.10 but he can score plenty of goals.
Fitting everyone into the team is not easy by any means.
Rooney is and isn't a CF...whereas Mata is not the typical no.10 but he can score plenty of goals.
Fitting everyone into the team is not easy by any means.
Kagawitis? I had a bastard case of that myself some time ago.
Yeah. Horrible dose, isn't it?
I'm just hoping we're not about to witness an endemic of Angelitis.
True, but the quality of our passing in the attacking third was shite against City. There's no sense in building a squad of different types of players if you're only going to use the same kinds all the time. A bit like LvG's epiphany that Fellaini can add something to the team merely by having a contrasting style to his teammates. Mata can add something, despite not playing particularly well as an individual. I thought the most telling thing about our last game was the fact we had about equal possession to City, but almost none of the passes came in the final third. That includes the time when we had 11 men and also the last 15 minutes. At the very least, Mata could have helped to recycle possession high up the pitch, rather than running straight into the nearest defender like Rooney/AdM/Januzaj were doing all game.
I know this is slightly off topic, but look at the number of passes from DdG, for crying out loud!
True, but the quality of our passing in the attacking third was shite against City. There's no sense in building a squad of different types of players if you're only going to use the same kinds all the time. A bit like LvG's epiphany that Fellaini can add something to the team merely by having a contrasting style to his teammates. Mata can add something, despite not playing particularly well as an individual. I thought the most telling thing about our last game was the fact we had about equal possession to City, but almost none of the passes came in the final third. That includes the time when we had 11 men and also the last 15 minutes. At the very least, Mata could have helped to recycle possession high up the pitch, rather than running straight into the nearest defender like Rooney/AdM/Januzaj were doing all game.
That seems to imply our passing in the attacking third was better against Chelsea. Which is not how I remember it. Safer, yes. Better, no.
But we've got so much attacking talent that keeping the ball somewhere in the vicinity of the opposition's 'keeper is the best way to score and also to keep them away from our own defence. Rooney/AdM/Januzaj are all highly capable players on their day, but making them responsible for possession in the final third plays on their weaknesses rather than their strengths.
And we did create a lot more against Chelsea than City from what I remember. Both safer and better, imo.
He was deservedly left out of the city game and we didn't miss him, he did nothing against chelsea or west brom and he is never going to be the playmaker or pacey wide player we are crying out for. I rate him as a player but I don't see where he fits in, we need to start finding a starting eleven who can perform week in week out and get us back at the top end of the table, we need to stop having to change formation every game to try and accomodate players and I don't see who mata will play in place of on a regular basis.
I don't see LVG dispensing with RVP or Rooney unless Mata and Falcao force them out of the team and so far there is no sign of that, I think there is a good chance neither will be here next season if they don't change that pretty soon as it doesn't make sense having players like that on the bench when you can't field a decent defence or properly balanced midfield and attack.
I don't see LVG dispensing with RVP or Rooney unless Mata and Falcao force them out of the team and so far there is no sign of that, I think there is a good chance neither will be here next season if they don't change that pretty soon as it doesn't make sense having players like that on the bench when you can't field a decent defence or properly balanced midfield and attack.
Pretty sure a fit Falcao can displace one of Rooney/RVP
A fully fit and in form Falcao yes but he doesn't look like that yet and post injury there is no guarantee he ever will so I would question if we will pay 40m plus for him.
I don't think he'll still be here in 18 months time tbh. Sorry Juan 
From what I have seen of him this season in his limited time in a United shirt and also playing for Columbia he has looked better than RVP at least. He actually looks very sharp to me.
Not really, we all know Fellaini has been very poor before this 3 game run he's had.
I know I'll be firmly in the minority here but I am praying Mata starts against Palace. People can talk about different attributes others have or don't have, fact is, Mata is a great number 10 and would tear Palace (without their captain in the middle) a new one.
And if he is not in van Gaal's plans, what better game to give him a run in the rotation, just like with Wilson seemingly coming in for RVP.
And if he is not in van Gaal's plans, what better game to give him a run in the rotation, just like with Wilson seemingly coming in for RVP.
I agree, and I'd love to see Rooney up top.
He will be gone in the summer.
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