When he was subbed off Sky showed a stat...he covered the biggest distance in our team. Suprsing, isnt it.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 42
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 5
- Status
He looked noticibly faster aswell.
This place is crazy sometimes. Just four pages back he was a pointless player that needed to be sold, and now he's suddenly even better than Silva and Ozil. I keep saying the same, I think he's not going to be the star of Manchester United, but he's been evolving in the last years into an excellent team player. He works hard, reads the game very well, he's really active (and clever) with his movement off the ball and productive inside the box.
Depending on the match he will shine more or less because of his attributes, but he always guarantees the basics at least. And everytime Mourinho sets the team to play offensive, dynamic football like yesterday he's going to be one of the best contributors if he's playing. He knows exactly where he has to be, and his technique rarely betrays him.
I don't think he's a game dictator, or the kind of exciting player that decides games on his own. He needs a good system around to perform, and his natural style has always been something like a second striker. But even now when he plays as a false winger, or midfielder with freedom it seems to be natural for him to attack the box and find petroleum. I don't think he's going to be a permanent starter but if Mourinho keeps selecting the right games for him he's going to be a valuable member of the squad.
Depending on the match he will shine more or less because of his attributes, but he always guarantees the basics at least. And everytime Mourinho sets the team to play offensive, dynamic football like yesterday he's going to be one of the best contributors if he's playing. He knows exactly where he has to be, and his technique rarely betrays him.
I don't think he's a game dictator, or the kind of exciting player that decides games on his own. He needs a good system around to perform, and his natural style has always been something like a second striker. But even now when he plays as a false winger, or midfielder with freedom it seems to be natural for him to attack the box and find petroleum. I don't think he's going to be a permanent starter but if Mourinho keeps selecting the right games for him he's going to be a valuable member of the squad.
He was outstanding yesterday. He should be playing every game when fit, it's a travesty that Rooney has been taking up his position for so long.
I think there was a chance for Ozil in their game vs Watford, I think. A simple opportunity that he failed to convert. Sure half as good is an exaggeration, but Mata's Finishing is way better than Ozil. With the amount of chances Ozil(/ any arsenal attacker gets,for that matter), he should be consistently scoring 10-15 goals a season
He'll probably go missing next game but we used to it by now. He's got outstanding goal/assist stats since he moved to United.
Only 2 years on his contract, got to be thinking about renewing soon no?
Plenty of time for that, it's the number 10 position or nothing for him, so he has to prove it week in week out to show he is worth tying down again.
Personally I really hope he does because he was fantastic yesterday, and is a great character to have around, but it has to be said the odds are stacked against him.
I certainly hope not. For the first time I think we have the mixture between strength, place and creativity in our starting 11. Obviously time will tell but I think this might be the setup where we see Mata continue these performances regularly.
He was OK on Saturday. The goal boosts the average fan's overall view of his performance, but in all honestly, he was alright. I actually think he went missing for most of the game apart from the final 10 minutes of the first half. Probably could do with watching the game again though. Not a chance I'm sitting through the second half again though.
What happened to he's blogs ? I used to enjoy the alternative blog a poster on here used to write, that should be brought back.
He's a luxury player. And one that not many teams can afford to have in their side - United included, in parts last season.
Unfortunately for Mata, he was purchased out of desperation on our part and so there was no thought given as to how he'd be utilised or indeed if he was even required.
I still have difficulty when you have to accommodate a player in a specific position and in a specific formation - in this case Mata being a No.10, in a 4-2-3-1.
He is undoubtedly a terrific player and a popular character - much needed in this squad. If he can maintain consistency or even prove himself capable of playing in a midfield three (akin to Silva at City), then he'll be a big asset for us.
Unfortunately for Mata, he was purchased out of desperation on our part and so there was no thought given as to how he'd be utilised or indeed if he was even required.
I still have difficulty when you have to accommodate a player in a specific position and in a specific formation - in this case Mata being a No.10, in a 4-2-3-1.
He is undoubtedly a terrific player and a popular character - much needed in this squad. If he can maintain consistency or even prove himself capable of playing in a midfield three (akin to Silva at City), then he'll be a big asset for us.
He looked like the player I remember from Chelsea, when he used to strike fear into the opposition team.
His work rate's improved a ton ever since he moved here. He's still easy to dribble pass, but I can see him being Mourinho's favorite for the number 10 role. Efficient and good stats, good set piece delivery, and hardworking.
This again.
The Sun reporting that he's hoping to tie down a new contract before the end of the year.
Scored and assisted double digits in all his seasons at the club and will likely do so again.
He's a very important player for us.
Scored and assisted double digits in all his seasons at the club and will likely do so again.
He's a very important player for us.
Wait, are you in agreement or expressing your dismay that he's being called a 'luxury' player again?
The last I heard Alternative Juan was spotted rappeling down Howard Webb's roof holding a Bowie knife and a bag of scorpions.
Its such a lame term.Wait, are you in agreement or expressing your dismay that he's being called a 'luxury' player again?
I think it is an effective one though. If you'd rather focus on being productive and efficient then you shun what could be considered inessential. Juan Mata is one such player. His reduced mobility and lack of defensive contribution requires a teammate to increase their own capacity in order to make-up for said deficiencies.
If you are considered a lesser team, whose focus is on working as a unit, maintaining shape and cohesion, then a player like Mata isn't all that necessary. Conversely, if you're a team that takes the game to the opposition and you expect possession, then a player who contributes less overall, but is effective in the final third, can be afforded.
If you can't always count on a player, then you can't afford him his place in the team. He is, therefore, a luxury.
I keep seeing him being called a luxury player with no one giving me any idea of what that means.Wait, are you in agreement or expressing your dismay that he's being called a 'luxury' player again?
What a complete and utter load of bollocks thats been spouted simply to justify one of the lamest and most ignorant terms there is in football. Utter nonsense term, meaningless drivel.
That's your (dismissive) opinion.
Is Juan Mata... less productive that others? Yes. Does he go missing in games? Yes. Can he be relied on defensively? Not particularly. (Hence his gesticulating at teammates to help cover his duties)
The term 'luxury' helps to define a player whose value to the team is a little more one-dimensional and not fundamental to the way a team approaches a game.
If you have an issue with the terminology that's different. But my point about Mata still stands.
It's quite a lazy meaningless term.
That describes some of the greatest players who've ever played the game. Guys who you pay to watch. You wouldn't call them a luxury.
Has Ibrahimovich scored in every game?, his job is to score goals and if he isnt doing that in every game then he is missing in the games he doesnt score. Can he be relied on defensively? Using your arguments means its easy to come to the same conclusion with ibra.....
The whole argument and term is so flawed and mind numbingly weak that its pathetic.
BTW if you have a good look you will see that Mata has been one of our more consistent players in terms of assists and goals in the last couple of seasons..... but he is less productive than others isnt he?
My last sentence was poorly worded.
Some might consider Ibrahimovic a luxury. To an extent he is, but he also has more to his game than goals. Namely, his strength and his ability to contribute in the air defensively.
A player like Ibrahimovic would be a 'luxury' to say Leicester, because he wouldn't be appropriate to the way they play.
That's what I am getting at by 'luxury' - how an individual relates to that of the team.
Its a stupid fecking term and now you are really desperate with your justifications of it.....
Ibra has more to his game than goals. Namely, his strength and his ability to contribute in the air defensively.
You're missing my point about 'luxury.' It refers to how an individual relates to that of the team. If he doesn't fit the approach of the manager or indeed the club, then he isn't going to be essential and is potentially disposable.
Ferguson wouldn't of signed Mata, because he wouldn't have faired all that well in how he approached the game. Look how Kagawa struggled. Yes his chances were limited, but Ferguson has since admitted he couldn't get Kagawa to fit the system or approach. He was a tireless spark at Dortmund, at United expectations were different.
I see what you mean but Mata doesn't play for a Leicester. So I don't see how he can be called a luxury even of we go by your definition.
He did sign Kagawa though. He also signed Cantona and Sheringham. Mata puts in more yards than both of them.
Apparently Jose is looking to give this "Luxury" player a contract extension.
He'd be a luxury to Leicester in the same way he was a luxury to Mourinho at Chelsea. At Chelsea, he favoured industrious types and not individuals capable of being easily dispossessed, so when the opportunity arose to sell him for such a fee, he took it.
Prior to the beginning of the season, I didn't think Mata had a future at United, because I assumed Mourinho would play a different way. And I still sense Mata is dispensable to the first XI, but perhaps not in the short term whilst we're struggling creatively.
Again though he doesn't play for Leicester. He doesn't play for a dogged, no nonsense team, he plays for United. A club built on creative, technically gifted players. He fits nicely within the profile of a typical United player.
I'm inclined to disagree. Compared to say Wenger's recruitment of short, agile, technical players, Ferguson's approach was far removed.
I suspect I'm wasting my time debating this with someone who dismisses the topic as 'utter bollocks'.
I also suspect you're not one for the terminology used to describe the modern game, its nuances or indeed the tactical shift that has taken place.
You were probably feeling vindicated by Leicester's title win given that they play 4-4-2 and a couple of old-school, bruising centre-halves. As if to dispel new-age 'meaningless drivel.'
Really? Fergie was far removed from liking creative, technically gifted players? I didn't say they had to be small.
I'm not going to produce a list of Fergie's players who were gifted and creative as I think the names are obvious and plentiful.
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