[mazhar13]

When given the freedom to play in the final third, he really is quite dangerous. I'd love to see him play this role more often than a more disciplined, deeper midfield role that he's played too often this season.

His vision is quite immaculate, and it becomes noticeable when he's in the final third playing through players to goal. His close control and balance is also very useful in the tight spaces of the final third where he can make a quick turn before releasing a through pass or take a shot on goal. This match also demonstrated his great movement and positioning inside the box for the first goal, further reinforcing the fact that he's perfectly suited to a role in the final attacking third rather than as a deeper central midfielder.

 

[IwatUwat]

When given the freedom to play in the final third, he really is quite dangerous. I'd love to see him play this role more often than a more disciplined, deeper midfield role that he's played too often this season.

His vision is quite immaculate, and it becomes noticeable when he's in the final third playing through players to goal. His close control and balance is also very useful in the tight spaces of the final third where he can make a quick turn before releasing a through pass or take a shot on goal. This match also demonstrated his great movement and positioning inside the box for the first goal, further reinforcing the fact that he's perfectly suited to a role in the final attacking third rather than as a deeper central midfielder.

He needs quick players around him though, as naturally his lack of pace slows our game down a bit. Hence why Di Maria near him works well, as Di Maria turns and runs and creates the pockets for Mata to play in.

 

[united_99]

He has played enough games this season already and we aren't even in Europe. He will get enough games then next season as well (I am assuming we'll get Europe).

He might not be a perfect fit at times but when we are looking for a Goal / break down defences I'd much rather have him on the pitch than not.

 

[Barca84]

Always arriving in the box right time right place. If his finishing was better he could easily have scored several more this season.

 

[sullydnl]

Something like 20 goals and 26 assists during his best season at Chelsea? This guy will contribute a lot if we use him properly...

 

[Mciahel Goodman]

Something like 20 goals and 26 assists during his best season at Chelsea? This guy will contribute a lot if we use him properly...

In the 12/13 season, 19 goals and 35 assists.

 

[Borys]

When given the freedom to play in the final third, he really is quite dangerous. I'd love to see him play this role more often than a more disciplined, deeper midfield role that he's played too often this season.

His vision is quite immaculate, and it becomes noticeable when he's in the final third playing through players to goal. His close control and balance is also very useful in the tight spaces of the final third where he can make a quick turn before releasing a through pass or take a shot on goal. This match also demonstrated his great movement and positioning inside the box for the first goal, further reinforcing the fact that he's perfectly suited to a role in the final attacking third rather than as a deeper central midfielder.

Yeah exactly, he should be used in advanced positions only. Good game from him.

Pass, move into the box, score. Most typical Mata goal I can think of.

 

[finneh]

Can't really think of anyone apart from De Gea and Blind who have been better than him all season on the whole. Apart from a brief spell of about 4 games he has been consistently a 7/10.

 

[DWelbz19]

Something like 20 goals and 26 assists during his best season at Chelsea? This guy will contribute a lot if we use him properly...

In all competitions, yeah. His league standing was 12 goals 12 assists, which is still pretty good.

 

[mazhar13]

He needs quick players around him though, as naturally his lack of pace slows our game down a bit. Hence why Di Maria near him works well, as Di Maria turns and runs and creates the pockets for Mata to play in.

Of course. He won't be as effective if his teammates aren't stretching the opposition defences.

 

[ZDwyr]

He scores a lot of goals. Seems to have good instincts for a striker. I just wanna echo what someone above said in that he should be taking our set pieces.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

He scores a lot of goals. Seems to have good instincts for a striker. I just wanna echo what someone above said in that he should be taking our set pieces.

He does take free kicks from the right I believe. Not sure why van Gaal doesn't try him on corners.

 

[Spielmacher]

He does take free kicks from the right I believe. Not sure why van Gaal doesn't try him on corners.

Because then we would lose his aerial threat.

 

[sullydnl]

He scores a lot of goals. Seems to have good instincts for a striker. I just wanna echo what someone above said in that he should be taking our set pieces.

Agree, think he has excellent stats from free kicks.

 

[Eriku]

He does take free kicks from the right I believe. Not sure why van Gaal doesn't try him on corners.

Because as good as Mata is, he's no Phil Jones.

 

[Mockney]

Didn't he take the corner Drogba scored from in Chelsea's European Cup win?

Because then we would lose his aerial threat.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Because then we would lose his aerial threat.

Because as good as Mata is, he's no Phil Jones.

 

[Mrs Smoker]

Agree, think he has excellent stats from free kicks.

Someone recently posted the table where he's the top free kick taker in the history of Premier League.

 

[Isotope]

Because then we would lose his aerial threat.

the thought of Jones taking the corner, while Mata stand in the box!

is it a foul if he jump & piggyback Fellaini to head the ball?

 

[legball]

I think he'll be sold in the summer, because good as he is, he hasn't really hit the heights he did for Chelsea. And if LVG plans to move us to his preferred 1-4-3-3 then there's no way he'll be part of the set-up.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I think he'll be sold in the summer, because good as he is, he hasn't really hit the heights he did for Chelsea. And if LVG plans to move us to his preferred 1-4-3-3 then there's no way he'll be part of the set-up.

What does his Chelsea form have to do with his future here? We have to look at what he is producing now and what he offers us. And he is playing well and impacting games as much as anyone in our side.

In regards to 433, van Gaal has played him in a midfield role this season, not saying it's his ideal role but if we are in Europe next season, we will need around 6 or 7 options in that midfield, there is definitely room for Mata.

 

[legball]

What does his Chelsea form have to do with his future here? We have to look at what he is producing now and what he offers us. And he is playing well and impacting games as much as anyone in our side.

In regards to 433, van Gaal has played him in a midfield role this season, not saying it's his ideal role but if we are in Europe next season, we will need around 6 or 7 options in that midfield, there is definitely room for Mata.

Because he was at his absolute best playing for Chelsea in that 4-2-3-1 formation, so, it might help to look at how he was used there and the conditions that made him flourish. He has good stats here, but he's not shown anything like that form. And if we prefer 4-3-3 then midfield is not the place for him, he's a big player that has to play, I don't think he'll be happy sitting on the bench. If we sell him and replace him with someone like Reus, I will absolutely have no problem with that.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Because he was at his absolute best playing for Chelsea in that 4-2-3-1 formation, so, it might help to look at how he was used there and the conditions that made him flourish. He has good stats here, but he's not shown anything like that form. And if we prefer 4-3-3 then midfield is not the place for him, he's a big player that has to play, I don't think he'll be happy sitting on the bench. If we sell him and replace him with someone like Reus, I will absolutely have no problem with that.

You're missing the issue though. You are saying get rid of because he isn't as good as he was at Chelsea, whilst that is true (not all his fault) he is still a benefit to United. If we were to bring in Messi, and he only scored 40 goals a season, would we say well he isn't as good as he was at Barca, lets sell him? No, you have to look at what he is currently doing and if it's helping the team. This is just an example to make a point and in no way my view on it but lets say his performances at Chelsea were 9/10 every week, his performances at United are now a 6 or 7 out of 10. Yes, there is a drop but that 6 or 7/10 is still good enough here at the moment. He has been one of our better performers this season.

I don't want this to turn into a ratings match but just used that as an example. Of course, new arrivals will create a new outlook on every player, not just Mata. And if we were to bring in players and the squad would benefit from selling Mata, as much as I love the guy, I would be glad to move him on but at the moment, I can't see the logic behind wanting to sell him. Until we are in a position that he is no longer needed (please don't let that day come), he is a valuable asset here.

 

[united_99]

Didn't he take the corner Drogba scored from in Chelsea's European Cup win?

He did. And one year later the corner too from which Ivanovic scored the winner in the EL final

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He did. And one year later the corner too from which Ivanovic scored the winner in the EL final

So why doesn't he take our corners when he is playing? You would think our coaches and all their stats would know this.

 

[Nighteyes]

So why doesn't he take our corners when he is playing? You would think our coaches and all their stats would know this.

Because good corner takers generally turn to shite when we sign them. See, Ashley Young for example.

 

[MJJ]

So why doesn't he take our corners when he is playing? You would think our coaches and all their stats would know this.

When you have phil jones..stats dont really mata.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I would definitely class Mata as a forward rather than a midfielder. He isn't the type to dictate play from midfield, but he will usually pop up with a goal when needed or play the final pass. Playing him as an 8 just won't work as he isn't dynamic or battling enough for that position.

I think as others have stated, if LVG does really want to play 4-3-3 he won't be around much longer.

 

[Bwuk]

I hope he remains and we play 4-2-3-1. Mata would be ridiculously productive as a #10, if we had players with pace making runs in behind.

Imagine next season a front four of Rooney, Mata, di Maria + Bale. We'd be laughing.

 

[Ballache]

I hope we keep him and play 4-5-1, this would be sex!
------Blind-Herrera------
New-----Mata-------ADM

 

[Randall Flagg]

This man should be playing every game

Our best goal threat and always keeps it nice and simple

 

[Sam]

Him and Herrera should be in the team.

 

[DarkXaero]

He needs to be inserted back into the starting lineup. He has been one of our best attacking players recently (not saying much) and was unfairly dropped. He needs to play as the number 10 behind Rooney and one of Falcao/RVP. Rooney at CM needs to stop.

Not sure how Di Maria would fit in, maybe both Falcao and RVP would need to be dropped. But Mata deserves his place as a starter right now.

 

[sullydnl]

Aye, he's probably been our best attacking player this season. Weird not to play him.

 

[jojose]

I hope we keep him and play 4-5-1, this would be sex!
------Blind-Herrera------
New-----Mata-------ADM

couldnt agree more. until "new" is sourced i would play rooney there to start with and Falcao up top. If Falcao still doesnt start firing.....rooney up top and wilson in the "new position". Away to Chelsea etc you might replace Herrera with Carrick

 

[Roboc7]

I think he has been average this season and is being left out because he is too slow and lightweight but given the performances of Falcao and RVP he is unlucky not to be playing which sums up why we look so poor going forward. He could well be on his way in the summer and I don't think it would be a great loss given his form since he signed and his limitations but I would at least like to see him given a chance playing behind Rooney with 4 from Di Maria, Januzaj, Carrick, Blind, Herrrera or Fellaini making up the midfield.

Away from home in particular I think we would be much better off with that kind of line compared to watching RVP and Falcao get in each other's way and offer virtually nothing.

 

[sullydnl]

I think he has been average this season and is being left out because he is too slow and lightweight but given the performances of Falcao and RVP he is unlucky not to be playing which sums up why we look so poor going forward. He could well be on his way in the summer and I don't think it would be a great loss given his form since he signed and his limitations but I would at least like to see him given a chance playing behind Rooney with 4 from Di Maria, Januzaj, Carrick, Blind, Herrrera or Fellaini making up the midfield.

Away from home in particular I think we would be much better off with that kind of line compared to watching RVP and Falcao get in each other's way and offer virtually nothing.

Don't see why he would be sold. LVG has said he rates him, he's picked him in the vast majority of games and hardly has reason to get rid of him if we have more games next season.

Also, how many of our attackers have been better than Mata since he signed? If he's been one of our best then he would indeed be a loss....

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He's definitely benefiting from the redcafe phenomenon of becoming better and better with each game he doesn't play.

He did hit a decent run of form over Christmas though, peaking with an exceptional game against Spurs. Went off the boil since, so probbaly fair enough to give Januzaj a crack. He hasn't really taken his chance so Mata should start the next game IMO.

 

[Shark]

The way I see it, we've signed so many shiny new toys in the summer that Mata is now getting let off the hook despite what we expected of him when we forked out £37m for his services. Not saying he's been anywhere close to bad this season, but I'm still underwhelmed.

 

[Roboc7]

Don't see why he would be sold. LVG has said he rates him, he's picked him in the vast majority of games and hardly has reason to get rid of him if we have more games next season.

Also, how many of our attackers have been better than Mata since he signed? If he's been one of our best then he would indeed be a loss....

Actions speak louder than words and when the other attacking players are fit, Mata is one of first to make way so that indicates he isn’t rated that highly and has only played so much because of injuries. LVG clearly doesn’t think he is one of our best players so that puts question marks against his future.

None of our attacking players have been very good for a while but fact that is best defence for him shows he hasn’t been good enough, we didn’t need him when we bought him and we don’t need him now. He is a good player but wrong player for us, better to accept that, move on and bring in someone else unless LVG is going to start dropping 2 of Falcao/Rooney/RVP but he doesn’t seem to be interested in even dropping 1 so I can’t see that happening.