His touch has always been outstanding. Don't remember whether it was last season or beginning of this season, but the way he bought down the ball on the left side of the pitch and then turned (which resulted in a goal?) was absolutely sublime
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 42
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 5
- Status
I'm pretty sure he made a very similar (a bit longer) volleyed pass for Chelsea once?
Should score after that pass from Memphis and should have squared that ball he took himself. Other than that, brilliant.
Was very, very good. That volleyed pass had real shades of Silva's pass against us in the 6-1 monstrosity. Immaculate #10 play.
Him and Pogba were at the center of our best attacking play, switching him out for Fellaini will make it harder for us to score in the big games.
Just a shame today that a lot of his chances seemed to fall on to his right foot. Once we get the wide attackers sorted and get them making more consistent forward runs I think he'll really shine. His main problem now is where Pogba is going to end up. It seems though that Mou is looking to play him box to box most games which is good for Mata.
Im amazed that some dont see that and dont see how important it is.
Won the match for us. I said in the post-match thread - we weren't as great as the scoreline would suggest and it really boiled down to those two penalties. The first was a great ball from Carrick, but it was Mata that brought it down. Not all players can do that. Then the second was all Mata. What a pass. Shame he couldn't top off the performance by finishing that chance.
He's great. The way he always is ready for a pass reminds me a little of Scholes (completely different players, but that aspect is reminiscent). He covers a lot of distance as well.
Deserved to score tonight for all his efforts. Anyway, glad he showed up tonight after being on the bench vs Pool.
Hugs Juan
Hugs Juan
Martial vs Everton.
What a wonderful little player. A joy to watch
Funny how one of our slowest players are the one most capable of increasing our speed of play.
Just wish there was some way to include him in the big matches, a double pivot of Herrera and Pogba just isn't enough defensively, we need either mop head or Carrick in there as well with Pogba occupying the place Mata should have.
Just wish there was some way to include him in the big matches, a double pivot of Herrera and Pogba just isn't enough defensively, we need either mop head or Carrick in there as well with Pogba occupying the place Mata should have.
MotM. Been a good week for our Spanish players.
Should have played against Liverpool.
He was immense tonight. Would have loved him to score those 2 chances.
It's funny that people continue to leave them out of their "preferred starting 11's" when it's blatantly obvious that we play our best football when he's on the pitch. I don't understand how people can't see the difference. When we're playing well, Mata's on the pitch and when we're playing bad... surprise surprise, Mata is sitting on the bench.
That can't be a coincidence.
It's funny that people continue to leave them out of their "preferred starting 11's" when it's blatantly obvious that we play our best football when he's on the pitch. I don't understand how people can't see the difference. When we're playing well, Mata's on the pitch and when we're playing bad... surprise surprise, Mata is sitting on the bench.
That can't be a coincidence.
What he said.
The ball is faster than the player and the mind is even quicker again.
He needs to start in the big games. I'm hoping Mkhitarayan comes in and owns that right wing because the link up play will be mouthwatering.
Great on and off the pitch, and great to see that he didn't down tools when Maureen arrived.
Is correct.
Yep, we tend to go for "pace" in the big games, like City for example. But it was a mistake. Mata, whilst not the quickest, is good with the ball and allows us to move up the pitch cos of that. Hes good under pressure and releases the ball when needed.
Shame he didnt score cos he warranted it, but hes becoming really key for us. Like him through the middle because regardless, it allows him to roam around and picks up those spaces when a midfielder needs a pass out.
Shame he didnt score cos he warranted it, but hes becoming really key for us. Like him through the middle because regardless, it allows him to roam around and picks up those spaces when a midfielder needs a pass out.
How can you not love this guy? I'd watch a Spanish soap opera with the three amigos of Mata, Herrera and DDG and question my sexual orientation .
Has to start against Chelsea.
Against us. Unbelievable pass.
The consistency of his passing annoys me so much. He's capable of some amazing passes like the one for our 2nd goal today, but, more often than not, he gets the weight of the pass wrong. I've seen him overhit or underhit so many passes in good areas, and just hit sloppy ones giving it away cheaply when we're knocking it around in the build-up phase, and it's especially annoying because he's capable of world class ones like the one yesterday.
I'm not criticising his performance yesterday because I thought he did excellent; just a general aspect of his game. I actually think he's been one of, if not our best outfield player so far this season, which I wasn't expecting as I've been very disappointed in him during his time here.
I'm not criticising his performance yesterday because I thought he did excellent; just a general aspect of his game. I actually think he's been one of, if not our best outfield player so far this season, which I wasn't expecting as I've been very disappointed in him during his time here.
He floated on that pitch again when he took that ball as he won the first penalty. Reminded me of the gif around here where he elegantly glided on the tpich while collecting a high ball. How does he do that!!
Miki right, martial left, mata, herrera and pogba midfield with ibra up top
Thats just having our best technical and smartest players on the pitch, cant see it not working. Hell, even throw Blind at center back for Smalling and it would be the entire team having great ability on the ball and nobody holding the team back on a technical point.
He is a class player, always has been and he is also one of those players that works a bit in the shadows and contributes a lot "unseen", but is also capable of the highlight reel moments.
Not having a dig at Rooney here, as he was actually much improved yesterday, but there is just no way he should start ahead of Mata right now.
Also i really hope we play 433 soon with Mata as RW and Herrera at RCM. Those two have an almost telepathic understanding and it always produces some delicious football.
Same. Mata, Herrera, Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Zlatan and Rashford/Lingard/Martial linking up could be liquid football. Throw Blind in there somewhere, and maybe Valencia learns how to cross again (Valencia's general link up play has always been good) and United are at least fun to watch again. Fingers crossed the results will follow.
Great hashtag.
I think Mata, Pogba and Herrera is defensively enough for most of our games. The possession we'll have is more protection than the alternative option of a defensive midfielder.
I actually thought he was a bit up and down last night. He did the difficult bits brilliantly. The stuff he'd normally find easy he fluffed a bit. Would have been some performance had he not.
I actually thought he was a bit up and down last night. He did the difficult bits brilliantly. The stuff he'd normally find easy he fluffed a bit. Would have been some performance had he not.
He started off poorly. Messing up simple passes and looked well off the pace. He grew into the game, though. That pass was sensational.
He's been playing really well since he was moved in the middle, I hope he starts against Chelsea.
I had this dream of seeing him lob the ball in the top left corner and win the PL for us...
I think its more primitive than that though, we seem to go for strength which nullifies our creativity which is tatamount to shooting ourselves in the foot. I think Mata in his 'old role' on the right with Rashford up top, Martial on the left ahead of a three men midfield.
Chelsea 4:0 Man Utd
What exactly has Mata done wrong to not start for two big PL games?
The two games this season that we've scored 4 goals, Mata has been number 10. Jose's response? Drop Mata!
I've given up on the season. Can't be getting upset over this.
Shoot ourselves in the foot by benching our best player
- Status