[SonnyTheHaloPro]

Good game overall today, but he is sooo weak, around the box he get's bullied so easily, especially on second balls. Also should have scored, squandered a similar chance against Burnely.

Type of football LVG wants to play requires physical players, I just don't see him having a long term future here unfortunately.

 

[Skywarden]

He scores that chance if it's on his left.

I thought his composure would have enabled him to bury it, even with his right boot.

 

[Ace of Spades]

He was great and more like his best. Getting on the ball in deeper position and not just picking out the safe passes, but dribbling with it and looking for the openings to exploit.

 

[Browniee]

Love Juan. Had a couple of decent performances now. Will be gutted if he's sold in the near future

 

[Nighteyes]

Two of his best games for United in the last 2 games. Finally getting involved in our play.

 

[SirAF]

He was brilliant today - too bad no one could capitalize on those chances.

 

[Red Devil 26]

He was great and more like his best. Getting on the ball in deeper position and not just picking out the safe passes, but dribbling with it and looking for the openings to exploit.

Agreed. I've been quite critical of his overall contribution to our play, but that was more like it from him. Was nice to see him retain possession even when under pressure and use the ball purposefully.

 

[Escobar]

He was brilliant today - too bad no one could capitalize on those chances.

Over 90mins he certainly was not brilliant. Plus one of the biggest chances he missed himself

 

[bosnian_red]

Refreshing to see him these last few games. Taking people on and running games from midfield. Much more like his Chelsea days. A lot of people (me included) feel like he won't be here long term but if he keeps playing like this then he'll be a starter for sure. Always had the ability, just for us he's often gone missing in games or kept it too simple when he can do so much more and play riskier passes.

 

[NessunDorma]

Refreshing to see him these last few games. Taking people on and running games from midfield. Much more like his Chelsea days. A lot of people (me included) feel like he won't be here long term but if he keeps playing like this then he'll be a starter for sure. Always had the ability, just for us he's often gone missing in games or kept it too simple when he can do so much more and play riskier passes.

Like with all of our better players - Rooney, RvP, Falcao, Di Maria as well - it's just a question of having a bit of faith. Remembering back to what we've seen them do in the past, and believing they can do it again in the future, even if they go into a period of bad form (and all of them have at one point or another).

Said it before, but 2 years ago, quite a lot of people were seriously arguing that Mata is better than Silva. I'm not saying he is, but if we can get him performing to his potential, then he's undoubtedly a huge asset.

 

[bosnian_red]

Like with all of our better players - Rooney, RvP, Falcao, Di Maria as well - it's just a question of having a bit of faith. Remembering back to what we've seen them do in the past, and believing they can do it again in the future, even if they go into a period of bad form (and all of them have at one point or another).

Said it before, but 2 years ago, quite a lot of people were seriously arguing that Mata is better than Silva. I'm not saying he is, but if we can get him performing to his potential, then he's undoubtedly a huge asset.

2-3 years ago he was arguably the best player in the league and was dominating games on a regular basis like the first half today, and had loads of goals and assists. Doesn't have that consistency yet for us but hopefully he gets it.

 

[bm_5]

He was brilliant today - too bad no one could capitalize on those chances.

If this is Mata at a brilliant level... I don't see why we payed that much. He looked average most of the game and then missed a big chance when we needed a goal. I still don't see any intensity in his game. He's classy and skilled that's undeniable, but when the pace increases he looks lost and overwhelmed.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

If this is Mata at a brilliant level... I don't see why we payed that much. He looked average most of the game and then missed a big chance when we needed a goal. I still don't see any intensity in his game. He's classy and skilled that's undeniable, but when the pace increases he looks lost and overwhelmed.

Either your standards are ridiculously high or that's a ridiculous assertion... either way, there's something ridiculous about it.

 

[Raees]

Pirlo? strange comparison. Anyway, he was excellent today.. for the first time i felt like he was playing like our David Silva, driving the game and looking strong on the ball, some brilliant first touches plucking difficult balls out of the air and allowing us to counter.. he was running at players and he just had a verve to his game that has been missing for years. I hope it is not a one off because it would really lift our game to a higher level if he was capable of this standard of performance on a weekly basis.

 

[Decotron]

If this is Mata at a brilliant level... I don't see why we payed that much. He looked average most of the game and then missed a big chance when we needed a goal. I still don't see any intensity in his game. He's classy and skilled that's undeniable, but when the pace increases he looks lost and overwhelmed.

Lay off the Super Boc!!!!

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Good game overall today, but he is sooo weak, around the box he get's bullied so easily, especially on second balls. Also should have scored, squandered a similar chance against Burnely.

Type of football LVG wants to play requires physical players, I just don't see him having a long term future here unfortunately.

There were plenty of examples of him being strong on the ball today - in fact, he was probably our best player at keeping the ball under pressure.

I swear some people are just never happy.

 

[izec]

There were plenty of examples of him being strong on the ball today - in fact, he was probably our best player at keeping the ball under pressure.

I swear some people are just never happy.

yep. He had 2-3 good situations where he used his body well. One situation where he gets half fouled and half loses balance against Eriksen, it is immediately he gets bullied and isnt strong enough...

 

[bm_5]

Either your standards are ridiculously high or that's a ridiculous assertion... either way, there's something ridiculous about it.

You're right, there's nothing ridiculous about saying a player was brilliant when in 90 minutes he creates one chance in a set play and smashes a great one 10 meters over the bar. If Mata was brilliant what do you say when someone scores a hat trick or even a brace? Call it standards if you like, but he was solid but not great today. That's how I saw it.

 

[Varun]

You're right, there's nothing ridiculous about saying a player was brilliant when in 90 minutes he creates one chance in a set play and smashes a great one 10 meters over the bar. If Mata was brilliant what do you say when someone scores a hat trick or even a brace? Call it standards if you like, but he was solid but not great today. That's how I saw it.

You need to watch the game again if you think all he did was create one chance and there too you mention a set play. The Freekick that hit the bar?

Players can be brilliant without being the ones that score goals.

 

[bm_5]

You need to watch the game again if you think all he did was create one chance and there too you mention a set play. The Freekick that hit the bar?

Players can be brilliant without being the ones that score goals.

Fair enough, he had a couple of long balls into Falcao and Van Persie, but nothing fantastic. Yes, that's the set piece I was talking about.

Players can absolutely be brilliant without scoring, but I'm sorry to say I didn't think that was the case today.

 

[NK86]

Fair enough, he had a couple of long balls into Falcao and Van Persie, but nothing fantastic. Yes, that's the set piece I was talking about.

Players can absolutely be brilliant without scoring, but I'm sorry to say I didn't think that was the case today.

Did you miss the lovely through ball to Falcao which he should have buried. And those were not long hoofs which he played. They were perfectly weighted passes over the top since spurs were playing a high line. He used to do this all the time at Chelsea. It's poor to way those were just long balls from him.

 

[DarkXaero]

He was easily our best player today, even with the botched chance, he completely ran our attack (especially in the first half). As far as his 'influential' or involved play goes, this might actually be his best showing as a United player yet. It sucks that he couldn't convert the chance in the second half, because it would have really topped off his great play today. He has been great form lately (other than the Villa match) and I hope he isn't dropped to make way for Di Maria.

 

[Ekeke]

Better today but should have scored. Wasnt the only one mind you

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

He's just a great player, and an asset to the team, when Di Maria returns we either need to drop the 3-5-2, or drop one of the strikers.

 

[Sammyjunn]

He's just a great player, and an asset to the team, when Di Maria returns we either need to drop the 3-5-2, or drop one of the strikers.

What are we going to do when everybody is fit? Carrick, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, di Maria, Mata, Rooney, RVP, Falcao (some even want to buy Strootman in) for six positions, that's crazy.

 

[Raw]

What are we going to do when everybody is fit? Carrick, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, di Maria, Mata, Rooney, RVP, Falcao (some even want to buy Strootman in) for six positions, that's crazy.

Don't worry, they'll never all be fit at the same time.

 

[santeria13]

Had a great game today. I was one of the people getting on his back for his poor all round game since joining but as others have said in these last couple of games he has looked a lot more like the player we expected when we signed him.

 

[Browniee]

What are we going to do when everybody is fit? Carrick, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, di Maria, Mata, Rooney, RVP, Falcao (some even want to buy Strootman in) for six positions, that's crazy.

We'll have CL football to think about next season

 

[Ixion]

What are we going to do when everybody is fit? Carrick, Blind, Fellaini, Herrera, di Maria, Mata, Rooney, RVP, Falcao (some even want to buy Strootman in) for six positions, that's crazy.

In the past couple of games we haven't really had a bench that could change the game. I suspect long term only one of RVP and Falcao will start, the other can impact things from the bench. Same goes for Fellaini, Blind and Herrera, they'll have to get used to rotation.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

If this is Mata at a brilliant level... I don't see why we payed that much. He looked average most of the game and then missed a big chance when we needed a goal. I still don't see any intensity in his game. He's classy and skilled that's undeniable, but when the pace increases he looks lost and overwhelmed.

So basically you have a different opinion as opposed to 90 percent of Caf. Fair enough but you're wrong, he was our best player today.

 

[Shamwow]

It's amazing how his first touch is so perfect almost 100% of the time.

 

[Pexbo]

It's amazing how his first touch is so perfect almost 100% of the time.

The thing I love about his first touch is that he doesn't just do the bare minimum to bring the ball down and then deal with it with a second touch like the majority of players do.

He has a really difficult ball coming his way and then decides to immaculately pluck it out of the air into the perfect direction to give himself time and space to then do something with it.

 

[Shamwow]

The thing I love about his first touch is that he doesn't just do the bare minimum to bring the ball down and then deal with it with a second touch like the majority of players do.

He has a really difficult ball coming his way and then decides to immaculately pluck it out of the air into the perfect direction to give himself time and space to then do something with it.

Yeah he always takes it away from his marker perfectly.

 

[Jev]

He's absolutly brimming with confidence, God knows what we'll do when Di Maria is fit

Bench Falcao.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Great performance. Where are those who said we shouldn't play him away from home? What a load of shit that is.

Really deserved a few assists, really provided that penetration through the middle. No hiding though that he should have scored but it shouldn't take away from a very good performance. Great to see.

Hugs.

 

[caisenma]

Bench Falcao.

Agreed.

Today was my first United match in person, and what struck me is how incredible he is on the ball. It's incredible... He's a fantastic talent who was perhaps only outplayed by Rooney today.

 

[Lawman]

Agreed.

Today was my first United match in person, and what struck me is how incredible he is on the ball. It's incredible... He's a fantastic talent who was perhaps only outplayed by Rooney today.

Was the best I've seen him for united hopefully this is him staring to pull the strings like he did with Chelsea.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Today was my first United match in person, and what struck me is how incredible he is on the ball. It's incredible... He's a fantastic talent who was perhaps only outplayed by Rooney today.

He has such an amazing touch when receiving tricky balls, whether coming to him in the air, or running to meet a ball with spin on it etc, he is so clever with his first touch and when he is in this form, he is the 10 that we need.

 

[Brwned]

Good game overall today, but he is sooo weak, around the box he get's bullied so easily, especially on second balls. Also should have scored, squandered a similar chance against Burnely.

Type of football LVG wants to play requires physical players, I just don't see him having a long term future here unfortunately.

What is that based on? He always talks about his "philosophy" and it how it has remained consistent throughout his career and in practically every team he played at he had a player like Mata who wasn't remotely physical. Sneijder at the World Cup, Perez for Alkmaar, Rivaldo for Barcelona and Litmanen for Ajax were all players who didn't exactly relish a physical battle and yet they all played very prominent roles for van Gaal's teams, so I'm not sure what makes you think he requires a team full of physical players. It seems like you just prefer physical players yourself.

 

[bosnian_red]

Bench Falcao.

Was thinking today how perfect Di Maria would have been if given a free role up top next to one of the strikers. The trio behind the strikers really should remain for the time being, be it a 3 man back line or 4 man.