[Eugenius]

Mata on the right is one of the key reasons we look slow and tumescent but there's a willingness to blame everyone but him. Completely negates any attacking combination on the right.

 

[Santiago_KinderBueno]

Mata on the right is one of the key reasons we look slow and tumescent but there's a willingness to blame everyone but him. Completely negates any attacking combination on the right.

I said this at the start of the season too. Mata is currently our best player on the right but effects all of our attack.

You look at barcelona's front three. Once the ball gets up tk one of neymar suarez or messi; the opposition are pinned back and the attack is based upon a unit. However; whether we play martial or memphis on the left; our attack is really lopsided and is easily countered with the defenders defending deeper arguably marking out memphis or martial sinse mata is hardly ever kn the deepers positions.

 

[Ash_G]

The games I'm watching he isn't he kills everything up the right hand side by slowing down coming backwards or sideways. He sure has quality in and around the box but out wide he's hopeless. He should be our 10 our nothing!!

I think the right hand side is less than ideal. I'm a fan of Mata and I like Darmian but they don't complement each other at all. If Mata plays wide drifting in as he does then you need a right back who is attacking minded which Darmian isn't really. Hopefully he can grow in to it but it will take time.

Really though that does back to one of my main issues with us at the moment, I just don't get who our system actually suits. For Mata for example starting on the right isn't ideal even with license to drift because when he does drift there's a lack of movement to actually really exploit and less. If he's central there's one less winger for him to play in and on the left Martial tends to hug the line and dribble at people rather than make a darting run inside of the ball, although I'm sure that will come with time.

I get some games it's better to have 3 midfielders in the middle but others it's got to be worth having 2 players who are happy on the wings as well as being able to come inside which martial, depay, lingard and young can do and someone central like Mata who can find these players.

I wonder if in some games Herrera would be a better option as the right hand side player with Mata more central. Either way I think LVG needs to reconsider the balance in the system, sadly though I think he'll do that by dropping Mata rather than Rooney who should be the one dropped.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I think the right hand side is less than ideal. I'm a fan of Mata and I like Darmian but they don't complement each other at all. If Mata plays wide drifting in as he does then you need a right back who is attacking minded which Darmian isn't really. Hopefully he can grow in to it but it will take time.

Really though that does back to one of my main issues with us at the moment, I just don't get who our system actually suits. For Mata for example starting on the right isn't ideal even with license to drift because when he does drift there's a lack of movement to actually really exploit and less. If he's central there's one less winger for him to play in and on the left Martial tends to hug the line and dribble at people rather than make a darting run inside of the ball, although I'm sure that will come with time.

I get some games it's better to have 3 midfielders in the middle but others it's got to be worth having 2 players who are happy on the wings as well as being able to come inside which martial, depay, lingard and young can do and someone central like Mata who can find these players.

I wonder if in some games Herrera would be a better option as the right hand side player with Mata more central. Either way I think LVG needs to reconsider the balance in the system, sadly though I think he'll do that by dropping Mata rather than Rooney who should be the one dropped.

He swapped Rooney and Martial, why not swap the other two as well. It would be worth trying.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Most of our attacking players, bar Martial, require others to play well to bring the best out of them.

Last year, in that in famous 6 games period, we had Fellaini, Blind, Young, Mata, Herrera, and Valencia playing really, really well. Now, that 4 or 5 aren't playing or are out of form, the others are also suffering.

If, and it's a big if, we sort out our formation, style and mentality, we'll see the best of our players.

 

[SATA]

What was it about him taking his time strolling off during his substitution? He's probably the last person in the team in my mind who would do that given his selfless character

 

[clarkydaz]

What was it about him taking his time strolling off during his substitution? He's probably the last person in the team in my mind who would do that given his selfless character

likely not happy he is the go to sub, regardless how others are playing

 

[Roboc7]

If we are going to play with two holding midfielders and only one forward with any pace there is no point playing mata, for all his talent without the right players around him and players running beyond him or ahead of him he is just too easily stopped.

 

[Lawman]

What was it about him taking his time strolling off during his substitution? He's probably the last person in the team in my mind who would do that given his selfless character

Not sure but that really annoyed me! We were needing a goal and he saunters off acting like that. Wouldn't care who it was none of them are playing well enough to act like Billy big balls and Mata son have a real good look at yourself and see if you didn't deserve to come off. Feck me big deal of difference between the days of Becks Ronaldo Giggs and the likes to nowadays.

 

[Cheesy]

Not sure but that really annoyed me! We were needing a goal and he saunters off acting like that. Wouldn't care who it was none of them are playing well enough to act like Billy big balls and Mata son have a real good look at yourself and see if you didn't deserve to come off. Feck me big deal of difference between the days of Becks Ronaldo Giggs and the likes to nowadays.

Yeah, not as if Ronaldo ever went into a strop when he was taken off.

 

[Cassidy]

What was it about him taking his time strolling off during his substitution? He's probably the last person in the team in my mind who would do that given his selfless character

When you keep getting sub'd and left out for Lingard past couple weeks, he can't be very happy about it

 

[berbatrick]

I don't understand the ratings. He was under pressure all game and did well to keep the ball most of the time, won quite a few dangerous freekicks with quick feet, and his passing was safe at least, and he even made a few tackles.

 

[Cassidy]

I don't understand the ratings. He was under pressure all game and did well to keep the ball most of the time, won quite a few dangerous freekicks with quick feet, and his passing was safe at least, and he even made a few tackles.

Also did a brilliant nutmeg when he came centrally, turned and drove at their defence. He wasn't great, but he wasn't bad either

 

[NinjaZombie]

When you keep getting sub'd and left out for Lingard past couple weeks, he can't be very happy about it

Seeing Rooney last whole matches despite playing crap, on top of always being the first of the front four to get subbed out, must also annoy the feck out of him.

 

[Lawman]

Yeah, not as if Ronaldo ever went into a strop when he was taken off.

Think given the level of quality he was producing we could over look it. Mata has for a record signing disappointed imo so a strop from him about getting subbed when he's not playing well is a bit harder to take.

 

[kundalini]

Since he joined the club, there has been a consistent pattern of us scoring at a slightly higher rate in the PL when Mata is missing from the team. This season we have 3 goals in about 136 mins without him, compared to 12 goals in 860 mins when Mata has been on the pitch. Last season we scored 41 in the PL during the 2,297 mins Mata was on the pitch (according to the way Transfermarkt calculate playing time), compared to 21 in 1,123 mins without.

It is about time we left Mata on the bench for a run of games to see if we do better with someone else in his position. Of course he is not the only big name star who should be benched for a spell so that we can explore if alternative options improve our attack.

If after 8-10 games without Mata, our scoring rate remains unimpressive, then I'd put him back in the team.

 

[Drifter]

Mata's blogg. Talks a good fight

It’s time to win

Hi everyone,

A week ago, after two draws, I was telling you here that we had to win again. Unfortunately, this Monday I keep longing for the same thing. After two more draws we are forced to win as soon as possible, starting with our next game in the Champions League.

The first draw in the Capital One Cup was the worst one because it was followed by a defeat in the penalty shootout. Against Middlesbrough it was one of those games where the team visiting Old Trafford tries to defend well, obstruct our game and rely on any chance they may have to score. It worked well for them because they took the game to the penalties and they were better than us in the shootout. We had some chances, especially in the last few minutes, but we know we must be more efficient and accurate when making and finishing our plays.

The draw in the Premier League against Crystal Palace was different. They are a team that knows how to play their cards. They did good pressing at the start to complicate our moves, and they created some chances especially in the first few minutes. My feeling was that, after a difficult start, we were getting more and more into the game, finding spaces between the lines and controlling it by half time. Yet at the start of the second half they did good pressing again and played long balls that put us in some trouble. We weren’t able to create good chances. We need to get better in that aspect of the game because I think we have the players to do that. I’m sure that the goals will come soon and, with them, the good results.

Now it’s time to keep training and getting ready for the upcoming fixtures. The calendar is full. We have two consecutive games in Old Trafford and the one this Tuesday is almost a final. The stats say that Manchester United has never defeated a Russian team at home, so it’s time for that first victory. CSKA have the same points than us, therefore it is vital to win if we want to top our group. With the support of our fans we hope to enjoy another great Champions League night in the Theatre of Dreams.

After that we will play against West Brom in the Premier League. This is yet another game that we have to win in order to stay up there on the table and leave for the international break with good feelings. West Brom has got more points away than at home this season, so we will have to pay attention to that. It will be nice to meet friends like Anders Lindegaard, Fletcher, Evans and Salomón Rondón, who is having a good streak…

The Valencian derby was played in Spain this weekend. It brings me good memories because I was lucky to score in some of them and it’s always a special game in the city. Valencia won, as it was expected, although Levante had a better start. I hope this win is the beginning of a good streak for my former team…

Real Madrid and Barcelona won without much trouble, whereas Atlético dropped two points against Deportivo, a team that is having a good start this season. However, once again I have to emphasise Celta and Villarreal because they both won difficult games and they are playing very well. I’m pleased to see more teams playing good football and giving trouble to the big clubs.

I also want to congratulate New Zealand for winning the Rugby World Cup in Twickenham. I couldn’t watch the final, as you know, but I have seen some highlights and I am impressed by the way the All Blacks and the rest of the big rugby teams combine intensity, intuition and strategy.

I hope you have had a nice Halloween night this weekend. I have to thank you because we are more and more people on my YouTube channel, and also on my social networks. We are working to bring you more surprises shortly.

Hugs,

Juan

 

[RedDevil@84]

I dont care if Mata, Schneiderlin, Young and Herrera talk a lot about back to winning ways, scoring goals and such stuff.
It is what they do on the pitch that matters.

 

[Santiago_KinderBueno]

Mata drifts in without the ball. Thats a big difference to a player who drifts inwards while dribbling. Our RB fullbacks have no space to get in to because mata doesnt have the ball to play it to him.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Juan has always been an up and down performer for us. He'll produce a match winning performance soon enough.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Stage is set. If anyone is going to produce tonight, it's him.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The stage was also set in the derby. A much more important and high profile game. I guess we have to hope that the stage-fright doesn't recur.

 

[Sarni]

The stage was also set in the derby. A much more important and high profile game. I guess we have to hope that the stage-fright doesn't recur.

Yeah, he doesn't always perform in the big games. I'm not sure City game was bigger though, tonight is make or break of our CL campaign. Lose and we're gone.

 

[Born2Lose]

Mata's been much better than Herrera, although that isn't saying much.

 

[Hed Zitin]

Apart from that movement for the chance he didn't get to, that's all he's done. I'm seeing others that are at least doing something getting the flack but at least they're doing something. Far too quiet.

 

[Bojan11]

Apart from that movement for the chance he didn't get to, that's all he's done. I'm seeing others that are at least doing something getting the flack but at least they're doing something. Far too quiet.

All the play is on the left.

He also made the pass to Young, who put in a dangerous ball which Lingard missed.

 

[saivet]

Decent movement at times. Done some okay things, but want to see more of him.

 

[the hea]

Very anonymous half from him needs to get more involved.

 

[Walrus]

Mata frustrates me. He is obviously very talented, and we saw what he was capable if at Chelsea. At the moment though I just find myself asking what exactly he brings to the team. Even when he was playing well he felt like a luxury player who would go missing too much.

This probably seems harsher than it is meant to be - but I just want to see more from Mata in the final third. He doesn't seem to have any license to take risks or actually be creative. It may well be LVGs system that is hindering him, but it still frustrates me.

 

[Lawman]

Mata frustrates me. He is obviously very talented, and we saw what he was capable if at Chelsea. At the moment though I just find myself asking what exactly he brings to the team. Even when he was playing well he felt like a luxury player who would go missing too much.

This probably seems harsher than it is meant to be - but I just want to see more from Mata in the final third. He doesn't seem to have any license to take risks or actually be creative. It may well be LVGs system that is hindering him, but it still frustrates me.

He is a passenger he pops up with good stats for a few games but on the whole is not worth much in the wide right position.

 

[DWelbz19]

He's had about 4 or 5 poor performances in a row. He's awfully lucky we have such little competition on the wings that he'll probably start again next match.

 

[Rowem]

I thought he was abysmal today. Against a team that comes to defend having him on the right doesn't work at all. Lingard or Young merit to start ahead of him at the moment.

 

[Adisa]

Needs to buck up his ideas.

 

[sullydnl]

Not playing well. Which is a big problem given he's one of our few quality players.

 

[NinjaFletch]

I'm a big fan of his, but he's been awful recently and its no coincidence its coincided with us not scoring goals.

 

[Devil may care]

LvG must have had a word with him about the slow walk off at the weekend as the fastest he moved tonight was when he got subbed. He had a couple of moments in the game but didn't do a lot overall.

 

[Wade3]

I think in his case fatigue could be a factor as well. The problem is, who to bring on? Herrera is the only other option we really have unless we wanna shift Rooney into his role. Since Martial also needs a break, it'll be tough to figure that out.

 

[iBoss]

I think in his case fatigue could be a factor as well. The problem is, who to bring on? Herrera is the only other option we really have unless we wanna shift Rooney into his role. Since Martial also needs a break, it'll be tough to figure that out.

Maybe play Darmian at RB and get Young on the wings.

 

[Godfather]

Not doing much at all is he atm?

 

[DWelbz19]

Maybe play Darmian at RB and get Young on the wings.

Suspended next game. Hopefully Valencia is fit.