[VP89]

And that's not enough for a player of his standing compare him with other players in the league.

He played for LVG and Moyes FFS. Everyone knows how talented he was when he had more freedom upfront and movement around him. He created about 1.3 chances a game, which really isn't that bad when you look at the circumstances and compare to say, Firminho, who had a very good season and created 1.5 chances per game.

 

[JPRouve]

He played for LVG and Moyes FFS. Everyone knows how talented he was when he had more freedom upfront and movement around him. He created about 1.3 chances a game, which really isn't that bad when you look at the circumstances and compare to say, Firminho, who had a very good season and created 1.5 chances per game.

It's fine then. But it works for all our players.

 

[VP89]

It's fine then. But it works for all our players.

And relative to all our players, Mata was one of the biggest chance creators.

 

[JPRouve]

And relative to all our players, Mata was one of the biggest chance creators.

In a team that creates nothing and ended the season 5th. Basically the best player in a really bad bunch.

 

[VP89]

In a team that creates nothing and ended the season 5th. Basically the best player in a really bad bunch.

And you blame him for creating little rather than the system he plays under. Baffling, especially when I've named two very good attackers he created more chances than.

 

[JPRouve]

And you blame him for creating little rather than the system he plays under. Baffling, especially when I've named two very good attackers he created more chances than.

I didn't blame him, I didn't blame anyone. I said that he didn't had a good season.

 

[VP89]

I would say that it's innacurate, he has been efficient which is a quality of his but he didn't created enough, he hasn't a big enough threat nor a big enough creator.

And you blame him for creating little rather than the system he plays under. Baffling, especially when I've named two very good attackers he created more chances than.

I didn't blame him, I didn't blame anyone. I said that he didn't had a good season.

?!

 

[JPRouve]

?!

That's not a blame, I didn't said that we weren't good because of Mata. But if you want me to blame then all the players and the manager are responsible for the poor performances, Mata wasn't the worse but he wasn't good either.

 

[VP89]

That's not a blame, I didn't said that we weren't good because of Mata. But if you want me to blame then all the players and the manager are responsible for the poor performances, Mata wasn't the worse but he wasn't good either.

Fair enough, but you're saying Mata didn't create enough. By this logic, nor did Firminho or Marital, which is quite baffling.

Maybe your standards for judging player seasons are quite high, but with being on the right wing and having lesser full backs in support, I'm one of the few that think Mata had a decent/good season for us.

 

[JPRouve]

Fair enough, but you're saying Mata didn't create enough. By this logic, nor did Firminho or Marital, which is quite baffling.

Maybe your standards for judging player seasons are quite high, but with being on the right wing and having lesser full backs in support, I'm one of the few that think Mata had a decent/good season for us.

It's not baffling, they are all members of pretty poor teams.

 

[Jerch]

For me he is a player who make good attacking team even better but can't do it on his own when a team is not playing well. And it is pretty clear why, his weak sides are dribbling, his speed and lack of strength. That are qualities you need to make things happen on your own and he is clearly not that kind of player.
But technically he is very good, great first touch, have great vision and great passing. I think he improved his attacking sense and his finishing touch. Play him in number 10 role with quick (and good) wingers and a good striker upfront in a functional attack and you will see a different Mata.

Problem with Mata is that he played in a team which was badly organized in attack and which needed a players who can make things on their own and that just showed his weaknesses even more. He also played in a position in which he can play of course but it is not his best position. That made United fans think that he is not as good as he really is but if we will have a functional attack next season, which I think we will have, he can surprise many people.

 

[VP89]

It's not baffling, they are all members of pretty poor teams.

They were one of the better performers in the premier league, irrespective of the club they played for. Yet, you say they did not create enough. Odd.

 

[Dec9003]

They were one of the better performers in the premier league, irrespective of the club they played for. Yet, you say they did not create enough. Odd.

Feck knows about Firmino but Martial and Mata didn't create enough. When we would go through matches and be lucky to have one shot the whole team isn't creating enough chances. I mean obviously that isn't because Martial and Mata aren't good players, I'd be an idiot to suggest that. But there's no point pretending they were creative enough because none of our players were.

 

[VP89]

Feck knows about Firmino but Martial and Mata didn't create enough. When we would go through matches and be lucky to have one shot the whole team isn't creating enough chances. I mean obviously that isn't because Martial and Mata aren't good players, I'd be an idiot to suggest that. But there's no point pretending they were creative enough because none of our players were.

Squaka has Mata creating more chances than Firminho. When looking at the rigid system he played under, it baffles me how some think Mata didn't have a decent season for us.

 

[Dec9003]

Squaka has Mata creating more chances than Firminho. When looking at the rigid system he played under, it baffles me how some think Mata didn't have a decent season for us.

Yeah he had an alright season. Obviously with Jose coming in he might struggle though. But you never know he might have been watching us and think he made a mistake letting him go.

 

[Bruno8]

Juan Mata is our best creative midfielder in the team. he should play No 10 next season surrounded by players with pace. Put Herrera on No 8 then our CM will click

If the problem is about his lack of height and physicality then the same should apply to Jesse, Rashford, CBJ, Adnan, Pereira, Shaw, Martial, Depay, Wier

 

[Dans]

Talk here is of Mata going to Dortmund. Might just be rumour with no substance but smoke and fire etc

 

[JohnnyLaw]

Juan Mata is our best creative midfielder in the team. he should play No 10 next season surrounded by players with pace. Put Herrera on No 8 then our CM will click

If the problem is about his lack of height and physicality then the same should apply to Jesse, Rashford, CBJ, Adnan, Pereira, Shaw, Martial, Depay, Wier

Those are some really weird comparisons to prove your point.

 

[VP89]

Talk here is of Mata going to Dortmund. Might just be rumour with no substance but smoke and fire etc

It would be a very good move for Dortmund and Mata. I bet he'd flourish there but wonder whether they'd play Kagawa and Mata together.

 

[Bwuk]

Mata likes to occupy the same sort of position Zlatan will drop off into, if he's to stay and start next year he'll have to play more like a second striker like he did at Chelsea at points.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I see no reason to sell him, even with the new signings coming in. We are a team that lacks goals and creativity, wouldn't make sense to sell Mata, he gives us a good option though I don't see a regular starting spot for him

 

[Mike09]

Stats from 14/15 season:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...anchester-Uniteds-hardest-working-player.html

He isn't the greatest tackler, no one denies that, but he is an attacking mid and I don't think there is a huge difference in his defensive contribution between him and that of other player in his position.
As far as Costa goal is concerned, it's amazing how you are blaming Mata, when Depay lost the ball, Schneiderlin was out of position and I think it was Blind who was marking Costa.
As far as the Spurs game was concerned, everyone saw Mata wasn't able to cope up, should have been brought off a long time before. Also, Darmian was poor in positioning as well, so instead of laying all the blame on him, be a bit unbiased in his judgement

I think some people interpretated my 'poor work rate' in a different way. Work rate isn't only about defensively duty. It's part of it but Mata is also doesn't show any good rate in general. You don't see Mata being involved in 90 minutes so often both offensive and defensive. That's why I called him ball watching and poor work rate.

 

[VP89]

Mata likes to occupy the same sort of position Zlatan will drop off into, if he's to stay and start next year he'll have to play more like a second striker like he did at Chelsea at points.

I have faith he'll be capable to do that. He can still have a good future with us if Mourinho gives him a proper chance.

 

[Mike09]

And that's not enough for a player of his standing compare him with other players in the league.

Agree. The fact that we don't even create enough chances or scored goals last season means Mata's stats is pointless.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Keep him, we need more than 1 player per position.

Having Mata/Mkhitaryan/Rooney/Lingard for the CAM position is good options.

 

[Terminator]

Hoping the rumours of him leaving are false. Very good player technically and can be lethal when used properly. I want Blind and him to stay, there are many oafs in this squad that have to be cleared before even touching these two.

 

[Raw]

Now that we have some actual quality in attack, I'd really like to see Mata given a chance.

 

[kenny19]

Rumour going around that mata has agreed personal terms with everton.

 

[Terminator]

Now that we have some actual quality in attack, I'd really like to see Mata given a chance.

This. I really hope we don't sell him.

 

[Cassidy]

Rumour going around that mata has agreed personal terms with everton.

Source

 

[anant]

Hope its false. The news source was some "MUFC exclusive news" handle. He is easily among the better players in our team.

 

[as-95]

Mata must not leave without being given a chance. Despite his lack of pace and strength, he is technically excellent, has good vision and is a goalscorer.

He is much more suited to the no.10 role than Rooney as Rooney doesn't have a good enough first touch to play that role. Time and again he has broken down good moves with poor touches this season. On the other hand, with Martial and Mikhytaryan on the left and right respectively, we will finally have quality wingers on each side to stretch teams and free up space in the middle for our no.10 to exploit. That player must not be Rooney.

As a result, after ruling out Rooney as our no.10, (and assuming Mikhi plays on the right) , the best option is Mata.

 

[FreeHerrera]

Hope its false. The news source was some "MUFC exclusive news" handle. He is easily among the better players in our team.

Better players for United than mata the past season:

• Martial
• Rashford
• Lindgard
• Herrera
• Rooney
• Schneiderlin
• Fellaini
• Blind
• Smalling
• Young

Mata is slow, weak, and cowardly. Usually going for the safe square pass, very rarely manages to dribble past players or defend the ball. He is a huge money waste and would fit better in a slower league such as Serie A.

 

[VivaObertan]

Seen the videos of Zlatan asking what number he'll be and the response is '8'?

No audio but it's pretty clear what the conversation is...

 

[Shark]

If he isn't gone, he's definitely going to be on the bench next season if Miki hits the ground running. Even if he doesn't, Mourinho will not want Mata on the right wing.

 

[Gasolin]

Anyone thinking pace is important for a technically gifted player is not having a fair assessment of Mata. Mata is going for the safe pass because LVG was coward. If he's given the free attacking framework, he will deliver. That's what technically gifted players do.

Zidane or Pirlo did not need to be fast.

 

[Shark]

Anyone thinking pace is important for a technically gifted player is not having a fair assessment of Mata. Mata is going for the safe pass because LVG was coward. If he's given the free attacking framework, he will deliver. That's what technically gifted players do.

Zidane or Pirlo did not need to be fast.

Mata isn't a technical wizard, that's been evident since he's signed for us. Silva and Iniesta are the players you are describing, Mata is more about goals and now we have a player in Miki that has pace, goals and creativity.

 

[anant]

Better players for United than mata the past season:

• Martial
• Rashford
• Lindgard
• Herrera
• Rooney
• Schneiderlin
• Fellaini
• Blind
• Smalling
• Young

Mata is slow, weak, and cowardly. Usually going for the safe square pass, very rarely manages to dribble past players or defend the ball. He is a huge money waste and would fit better in a slower league such as Serie A.

What did the players in old do last season that made them better? I feel Lingard was also not better but he did decent in comparison to the expectations

His first touch, work rate, passing are excellent. His finishing is very good. Hell he managed to score more goals in his worst season than Ozil did in his best season.

 

[bosnian_red]

Can't see him playing a big role. Mourinho won't play him on the wing, so it'll most likely be second choice #10. Though who knows, he may impress in training and make the #10 position his own, finally being surrounded by quality and pace. Love him but I think his days are numbered.

 

[Adisa]

Juan Mata has consistently got double figure for goals and assists in his time here. It would be madness selling him immediately.