I've been disappointed in him recently but I thought he played well today.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 35
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 2
- Status
When we won the title in 06/07 what ugly players did we have? Giggs, Scholes, Carrick and Ronaldo played almost every game. Even in 07/08 the only ugly players we had (Fletcher) started in 1/3 of our games in midfield at most.
I still think the guy has become somewhat under appreciated since he joined us. It's a drum i've been banging on and off for a while, but remember how highly rated he was in 2011/12 and 2012/13?
I'm personally always pleased to see him in the XI, because he's like Rooney in that he'll get you loads of goals and assists, even if he's not playing to his full potential.
Also, he keeps possession in midfield unlike the likes of Fellaini, which is a huge plus. Passes the ball well even under pressure.
Still can't understand why Herrera doesn't start alongside him and Carrick as long as Di Maria's out.
Still can't understand why Herrera doesn't start alongside him and Carrick as long as Di Maria's out.
Very good game from him today, he was offside obviously but he's great at ghosting in unnoticed in positions like that.
He played well today, and dovetailed nicely with Herrera when he came on (who should really be starting ahead of Fellaini if Van Gaal is serious about implementing a flowing, possession-based style).
That optajoe is really running out of words to put at the end of his tweets Isn't he
He looked a lot better when Herrera came on.
Love is obviously in the air lads.
Love is obviously in the air lads.
Because Herrera moves and gives it quickly. Simples.
Did well today. For the most part I wasnt sure about how he was playing, I felt like he was trying to be a mini Xavi and just play high percentage passes to a teammate. But as the game went on he got forward for a goal (even though it was offside) which is what you want from your central midfielder on the day and he had the class to play RVP in for his goal when it counted. So those 2 contributions convinced me of his performance. Without them I'd have just said meh
The problem has been that he hasnt been getting the assists. And hasnt looked like making them. The goals continue to come and thats great, but ideally its strikers you want who are quiet and then pop up with a goal. Not your creative hub. He's supposed to be involved as much as possible
So it was good for Mata to show his class again today in the final third setting up his teammate. But we know he can do more than the 2 chances he created today
I feel like he's been a passenger in some games recently, and even in large portions of this game. However when you pop up and make the difference in the vital moments, then all else is forgiven. I'd just like to see him involved more and more of those magical moments he's capable of.
He's an enigma, for a creative fulcrum he's indivisible, but he got a goal and an assist.
Better from Mata today. Played higher up today, with Rooney and Felliani deeper, which give him a bit more freedom. Bagged a great goal and assist.
I think today showed he can perform in the big games when required.
You can say what you like about his performances but his stats for us are incredible 11 goals and 6 assists since joining and all in the league.
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I thought he was good today.
Kept the ball well, dont recall him wasting it when others were quite often.
His pass to rooney that lead to the third goal was brilliant.
He took up good positions and was pretty good at making himself available.
Nicked the ball off henderson a few times and helped keep him quiet.
Wasn't a masterful defensive display but it was decent which is a big improvement.
I think hes been showing signs of improving his all round game in recent weeks, often playing quite deep
and he looks like theres still room to grow for him.
Kept the ball well, dont recall him wasting it when others were quite often.
His pass to rooney that lead to the third goal was brilliant.
He took up good positions and was pretty good at making himself available.
Nicked the ball off henderson a few times and helped keep him quiet.
Wasn't a masterful defensive display but it was decent which is a big improvement.
I think hes been showing signs of improving his all round game in recent weeks, often playing quite deep
and he looks like theres still room to grow for him.
His goal output is fantastic, but he needs more assists. 6 in nearly a year isn't all that impressive in all honesty.
What he did today for the 3rd goal is the kind of stuff I was expecting on a weekly basis when we signed him. He's got the ability.
I thought it was a good all round performance from Mata (I see he was getting a bit of criticism in here before the assist). I might need to watch the game back but at th time I definitely felt he generally played well.
He definitely wasn’t good in the first half, but he was more than good in the second. I still think he shouldn’t be starting games, because when the game is tight we could use Herrera a bit more (just tell him to keep it simple like Mata does in midfield if he’s being too adventurous). Juan looks much much better when the game becomes more loose.
His positioning in the final third is exceptional.
His positioning in the final third is exceptional.
Lampard Mk. II, for me.
EDIT: Although not as good, but still great.
EDIT: Although not as good, but still great.
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That is not a bad thing, though he won't take penalties for us.
That is assuming we get any of course.
For a little guy he knows exactly where to be for a goal.
I thought he played well today and has done for the most part in recent weeks.
His goal record has been decent since joining but the ones in recent weeks have been vital. Winner against Palace, winner against Stoke, crucial second goal today.
Good stuff.
His goal record has been decent since joining but the ones in recent weeks have been vital. Winner against Palace, winner against Stoke, crucial second goal today.
Good stuff.
Exactly what you want in a sexual partner tbh
I don't get the hate Mata gets sometimes on here. He's doing what he used to do at Chelsea and he was regarded as a top class player there, one of the best in the league. He's doing the same stuff for us, what changed? Why was it spectacular for Chelsea but now that he's doing the same for us, suddenly it's average?
He's always been a final ball or final finish type of player, not the type of player to control the game or contribute much when he doesn't have the ball. He never possessed any exceptional physical characteristic. He's a very intelligent, technical player and being the only attributes he has, uses them to the maximum of his ability.
I really don't know what people expected when we signed Mata. For me, he's playing the same way he used to play for Chelsea.
He's always been a final ball or final finish type of player, not the type of player to control the game or contribute much when he doesn't have the ball. He never possessed any exceptional physical characteristic. He's a very intelligent, technical player and being the only attributes he has, uses them to the maximum of his ability.
I really don't know what people expected when we signed Mata. For me, he's playing the same way he used to play for Chelsea.
Did good today, I'm very happy for him!
Great awareness for RvP's goal. Was screaming at the tv to hit it first time.
------------Rooney------
--DiMaria--Mata-----WF
-------------Herrera--------
-------Blind/Carrick--------
Shaw----------------Rafael
-------Rojo-----Smalling-----
------------De Gea------------
You could see on the RVP goal (and from years at Chelsea) that this would suit him best. If we sign Robben, Reus or another pacey and dangerous WF who can get in behind, I see this as our main lineup next year. Di Maria can switch sides, too.
--DiMaria--Mata-----WF
-------------Herrera--------
-------Blind/Carrick--------
Shaw----------------Rafael
-------Rojo-----Smalling-----
------------De Gea------------
You could see on the RVP goal (and from years at Chelsea) that this would suit him best. If we sign Robben, Reus or another pacey and dangerous WF who can get in behind, I see this as our main lineup next year. Di Maria can switch sides, too.
He was very good today I thought, hopefully he will keep it up. Excellent assist as well.
I don't think he's quite at the same level he was at Chelsea where he was, for a time, the best player in the league IMO.
I love having him here but I reckon he can be even better. He has the talent to totally run a game from midfield. Still yet to see that consistently.
Can't fault his numbers though.
He's getting better as is the team and I hope with the right set up and position we can finally get the best out of him again
RVP is a way better striker than Rooney (Rooney is brilliant btw), have no idea why you've left him out. Also no way is Rojo in that lineup next season, we will get a better centre back in for sure, Also expect Strootman to be signed up soon as well.
He was invisable up until his goal which seems to a trend of him starting matches very poorly.As others have siad though, he grabs loads of goals and assists and grew in to the game.
I do feel we need to get him more involved in our play.Balls that should have been going to Mata kept being played to Fellaini in the firsr half whicg caused a lotbof our problems.
I think having the likes of Herrera and Di Maria back in team will help to up his influence.
I do feel we need to get him more involved in our play.Balls that should have been going to Mata kept being played to Fellaini in the firsr half whicg caused a lotbof our problems.
I think having the likes of Herrera and Di Maria back in team will help to up his influence.
Made a point of watching Mata today and his work off the ball at times was superb. He was constantly pointing for players to move into channels and was doing the same himself. Played a big part in today's win and worth his place.
The reason is he is not performing corners.
And his free kicks are a bit meh this season.
Hull?
I think the problem has been his form - he's racked up some good goal stats but generally his form hasnt been great - I actually can't think of any game where he has really dominated
played well today though he lacks the workrate and physicality of Rooney - I think the 3-5-2 suits him as it does off that extra protection
some lovely pace to his passes today and found space well but I'd like to see more from him - still hasn't shown his Chelsea form but he is improving
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