I don't necessarily disagree, but where he is lacking is his physical attributes, and that's why I think he needs players around him who can stretch the defence and create spaces for him to work in.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 42
- Goals
- 10
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 5
- Status
His 125th senior career goal for club and country. What a guy 
The only player who really deserved to score tonight, tbf.
Very reliable and productive player more often than not and more than most as well in our squad.
Yeah I agree, Rashford and Martial and Mhiki with him has a lot of possibilities
Comfortably our best attacking player tonight.
Luxury player strikes again!
Valencia was pretty darn good I thought.
Super effort, always moving and looking for space as well as opportunity.
Got into the right place and took a well-deserved goal.
Would have got two assists as well with a bit better finishing from some of his team mates
Got into the right place and took a well-deserved goal.
Would have got two assists as well with a bit better finishing from some of his team mates
Yeah, I should have said forward player, I was meaning of him, Mkhi and Zlatan, Valencia was very good I agree.
He spoils us with these luxury goals.
He seems to always pop up with an important goal. I was kinda saddened when I heard Rashford was coming on for him (rather than a defensive player) when it looked like we were going for a goal.
Glad he got a goal. But his pass to Mkhi in the first half was really good.
Glad he got a goal. But his pass to Mkhi in the first half was really good.
Well played for the goal, it made the remainder of the match slightly better.
My MOTM yesterday. Hes no highlight reel player, but he constantly finds him self in good attacking positions and his attacking passing is among the best in the club.
More like best in the league. Had he been a big name player like Pogba or Zlatan, his contributions would be more recognized
Excellent performance once again. Has been great this season.
It is especially laudable, because our strategy was very defensive and he did not have many players assisting him out to organize our attack. He just had Mikhi to help him out and it is a joy to see both of them combine for a move. Both similar players on the same wavelength. Think Rashford will be a better fit with him and Mihi because even though Zlatan is very good, he can be very selfish and mostly tries to take a shot himself.
Also, his play seemed to improve when Herrera pushed forward because of the Pogba injury and Fellaini came on to take Herrera's role. That 'Mikhi - Mata - Herrera' interplay works so well.
Currently, him, Mikhi and Herrera look like the only players in our squad who are able to consistently create something through the middle. I am just worried that we may do something stupid like try to replace him next summer instead of building on what he provides.
It is especially laudable, because our strategy was very defensive and he did not have many players assisting him out to organize our attack. He just had Mikhi to help him out and it is a joy to see both of them combine for a move. Both similar players on the same wavelength. Think Rashford will be a better fit with him and Mihi because even though Zlatan is very good, he can be very selfish and mostly tries to take a shot himself.
Also, his play seemed to improve when Herrera pushed forward because of the Pogba injury and Fellaini came on to take Herrera's role. That 'Mikhi - Mata - Herrera' interplay works so well.
Currently, him, Mikhi and Herrera look like the only players in our squad who are able to consistently create something through the middle. I am just worried that we may do something stupid like try to replace him next summer instead of building on what he provides.
Middlesbrough 1:3 Man Utd
Goes invisible most games imo
Nah, been fine again today. Not an eye-catching performance but plenty of intelligent runs and passes. Just a wonderful footballer and one of the performers of the season.
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very off the pace, Lingard totally outclassed him today
Not his best game no. Probably tired since the game three days ago.
Its not a competition to outclass the other.
Silently keeps things ticking over - One of the few players who can keep hold of the ball. It's no coincidence we're under pressure when he's goes off.
Game passed him by, just didnt have the pace and we played quite direct so didn't suit him.
Why is he invisible all the time
Yet he saves our bacon most games.
Could have had one assist and keep things simple and moving, wish he's a little more involved though
Was decent. Nothing spectacular but not bad. Keeps the ball ticking.
Also, his sprint alongside Lingard for our 2nd goal was pretty fast especially for a player who is considered slow
Also, his sprint alongside Lingard for our 2nd goal was pretty fast especially for a player who is considered slow
We lost control when Mata went off. Very important player and should not have been taken off for a defender.
Perhaps you're not watching?
He wasn't our best player today but I thought he did well, kept us ticking. Solid performance IMO.
I think he's better when he can float off the wing and pick up clever positions and make good runs, today he was tasked with having more of the ball and didn't really get into the game enough.
Just... fecking... urgh
He was our creative spark today. I thought he was pretty good, considering the midfield of Fellaini & Carrick couldn't control the ball and the tempo.
He started the game off slow but he got involved more midway through the 1st half and was great. Boro were having trouble dealing with his movement and quick passes
I felt he was running low in energy in the game. Was barely tracking back in the second half.
I actually thought he was fantastic
What the hell you watched? One of our best player out there yesterday. He's our main linking between defense and attack for 'our league cup team' on a difficult away ground in a match that desperately needed result. No Mhiki, Herrera and Pogba to help yet he still made our midfield ticking. Just looks at our performance at Ewood Park with Mhiki running the strings alone and you'll appreciate Mata performance last night more. That game we hardly created but last night we dominated for a long period of time.
And he should have an assist at least but Rashford was just unlucky.
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Don't think he should be part of the defensive/counter attack oriented setup.
He has no pace nor the strength to get it done.
Slow buildup is his bread and butter.
He has no pace nor the strength to get it done.
Slow buildup is his bread and butter.
I really really like Mata, I think yesterday was difficult for all the attackers (odd to say when you score three goals but hey ho) but he set up Rashford really well a few times.
Him and Mkhy behind Ibra or Rashford should be the way forward for us in a lot of matches this season I reckon.
Him and Mkhy behind Ibra or Rashford should be the way forward for us in a lot of matches this season I reckon.
Had a busy game and looked knackered when he came off. He didn't get selected for Spain again no?
- Status