[Mockney]

And I wasn't wrong.
We still got the same results. We drew with Mata and with Lingard.

The obvious mistake you're making is in pressuming his presence in games we've drawn, is evidence of his failure to influence them. The point everyone else is making, is that his presence (and goals) in games we've won, is better evidence of his ability to.

Of course he didn't win us the games we drew, because we drew them! (Apart from the Arsenal game, where he drew us a game we could've lost) but he's won us, or helped us win, games we would've otherwise drawn. Evidenced by the fact he's scored more opening and winning goals than anyone bar Zlatan (and anyone bar Rooney since he signed)...

That's how his influence is measured. Just as Zlatan's influence is measured by his 29 goals, rather than his ever-present presence in all the same draws Mata has failed to win, and a few more.

As for this evening, I don't actually think we missed him as much as against West Brom and Everton. We weren't struggling to break them down or anything, we were just lazy. If we don't get him back for the return, I won't be too worried. But if he's not fit by May we're definitely a bit fecked.

 

[iKnowNothing]

When is he back? In the previous page, I read that he's out for the season. Is that still the case?

 

[Mike09]

The obvious mistake you're making is in pressuming his presence in games we've drawn, is evidence of his failure to influence them. The point everyone else is making, is that his presence (and goals) in games we've won, is better evidence of his ability to.

Of course he didn't win us the games we drew, because we drew them! (Apart from the Arsenal game, where he drew us a game we could've lost) but he's won us, or helped us win, games we would've otherwise drawn. Evidenced by the fact he's scored more opening and winning goals than anyone bar Zlatan (and anyone bar Rooney since he signed)...

That's how his influence is measured. Just as Zlatan's influence is measured by his 29 goals, rather than his ever-present presence in all the same draws Mata has failed to win, and a few more.

As for this evening, I don't actually think we missed him as much as against West Brom and Everton. We weren't struggling to break them down or anything, we were just lazy. If we don't get him back for the return, I won't be too worried. But if he's not fit by May we're definitely a bit fecked.

One thing that I have just learnt that when someone read comments that has negativity on their favourite players even if it's just 1% negativity, they will try to twist it and makes it to 100% negative comment. @PepsiCola is one of the example.

Juan Mata is our second goal scorer with 6 league goals and 10 goals in all comp. He's only 1 or 2 or 3 more goals than 3 out of 4 possible candidates (Mkhytaryan, Martial, Rashford and Lingard) who can fill in Mata's absence. Being second goal scorer with that amount of goals are considered to be not good enough and the impact is obviously not much difference with the other four players. That's why I have said this before that I don't see losing Mata will affect us hugely. And It has been proven that with and without Mata we are still having the same problem and results. I didn't say he's worse or better than what we got, I was just saying we won't be much worse or better with or without Mata. We got enough evidence to prove them. The final end products of 5 of our attacking mid are not much different, we still created chances with and without Mata, and the results are still the same. Mata's ability that he has shown this season can be covered by the available players that we got. We are still crying out loud for attackers because none of Mata and the other four have solve this issue.

Edit:
To put it simple is that some of you interpret Mata contribution and impact this season is similar to Hazard or Alli (which are second top goal scorer in their teams), but I interpreted him with Mkhytaryan, Martial, Rashford and Lingard this season aren't much different.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

When is he back? In the previous page, I read that he's out for the season. Is that still the case?

"Several weeks" due to groin surgery.

DM saying:
The operation was completed successfully and the initial response has been positive but Mata has not been at Carrington all week.

 

[ChichaKagawa]

I love Mata, I think he's a wonderful player and we absolutely should be keeping him. In so many games he looks like one of our only players that can unlock a defense that's tightly packed. His stats are brilliant tbh, shows how vital his contributions are to us. Hope he's back soon but it doesn't seem likely Hugs for Juan!

Mata being out for the rest of the season has probably killed this season off to be honest, I can't see us winning the Europa league without him.

We need him back badly.

We need his finishing.

His goals are a big loss to a team that is overly dependent on Ibra.

Mata should be starting each and every game for us when fit.... even with Greizmann in the squad. He's a fantastic player.

 

[shield]

Such an underrated player. His injury has killed off our season. We look completely out of sorts without him and look incapable of scoring more than 1 goal in a match (against an organized defence).

Do we have any hope of seeing him again this season, or is the injury so bad that we can only expect him back next season? We really need his help. Have a feeling that he can recover fast.

 

[anant]

@Mike09
Interestingly, the weak and slow, short guy has highest successful take on % and has won a higher proportion of aerial duels, apart from scoring more goals per 90 minutes despite taking least no. of shots.

Having said that, I don't think absence of Mata was the reason why we drew yesterday. Had they parked the bus, I would have said Mata could have changed the game, but we weren't struggling in creating chances. We created plenty of them but failed to convert them

 

[Mike09]

@Mike09
Interestingly, the weak and slow, short guy has highest successful take on % and has won a higher proportion of aerial duels, apart from scoring more goals per 90 minutes despite taking least no. of shots.

Having said that, I don't think absence of Mata was the reason why we drew yesterday. Had they parked the bus, I would have said Mata could have changed the game, but we weren't struggling in creating chances. We created plenty of them but failed to convert them

I was right. Not much difference. I have already said this in the general thread before that Mata being a little bit better won't make it much affect for the team. Mata have played more minutes in 90 mins gives more advantage on him in stats compare to the others. Stats like Rashford goal vs Hull and performance Vs WHU won't be counted. Martial scored goal against Stoke won't be counted.

The fact and reality are more superior than stats. Just like how people in here think Herrera is better than Kante due to stats but the true is Kante dominates the midfield while Herrera doesn't.

The true is that with and without Mata we are still creating a lot of chances and still got the same results. I can't see this as a big loss. If Chelsea lose Hazard then that's a big loss because neither Willian and Pedro can come close to him. If United lose Zlatan then that's a big loss because neither of our attackers can come close to him. If Arsenal lose Sanchez then that's a big loss because neither of their players can come close to him. If United lose Mata, it's not a big loss because we have players who can back him up and fill what he offers.

 

[anant]

I was right. Not much difference. I have already said this in the general thread before that Mata being a little bit better won't make it much affect for the team. Mata have played more minutes in 90 mins gives more advantage on him in stats compare to the others. Stats like Rashford goal vs Hull and performance Vs WHU won't be counted. Martial scored goal against Stoke won't be counted.

The fact and reality are more superior than stats. Just like how people in here think Herrera is better than Kante due to stats but the true is Kante dominates the midfield while Herrera doesn't.

The true is that with and without Mata we are still creating a lot of chances and still got the same results. I can't see this as a big loss. If Chelsea lose Hazard then that's a big loss because neither Willian and Pedro can come close to him. If United lose Zlatan then that's a big loss because neither of our attackers can come close to him. If Arsenal lose Sanchez then that's a big loss because neither of their players can come close to him. If United lose Mata, it's not a big loss because we have players who can back him up and fill what he offers.

Wtf! More minutes in 90 mins? The stats are divided by minutes played multiplied by 90, so minutes played are basically normalized. Compare Mata's stats with any 1 player over there and the impact is clearly visible!

 

[Mike09]

Wtf! More minutes in 90 mins? The stats are divided by minutes played multiplied by 90, so minutes played are basically normalized. Compare Mata's stats with any 1 player over there and the impact is clearly visible!

90% United fans on Red Cafe rate players based on stats. Sad.

Tell me what we have lost so far from Mata's injury compare to before he got injured.

I'll be glad to hear/read that from you. Even the stats doesn't tell much difference and yet you make it sounds like he's been very critical to our unbeaten run records.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

We're missing his creativity. Get well soon, Juan

 

[Mike09]

We're missing his creativity. Get well soon, Juan

We still create a lot of chances without him. I don't see how we are missing his creativity if at the of the day we are still creating a lot of chances with and without him and still get the same results.

People need to realise what we are missing isn't Mata's creativity or someone who can create chance because we are still creating a lot of chances at the moment with Mata being absent. What we are missing is someone who can score a lot of goals. And none of Mata and the other four have solve this issue this season.

 

[arthurka]

Hate that he's not fit..

 

[acnumber9]

Juan Mata is our second goal scorer with 6 league goals and 10 goals in all comp. He's only 1 or 2 or 3 more goals than 3 out of 4 possible candidates (Mkhytaryan, Martial, Rashford and Lingard) who can fill in Mata's absence.

90% United fans on Red Cafe rate players based on stats. Sad.

Is that not exactly what you're doing here? Just looking at stats and saying there's not much difference. What you're better off doing is watching the games and seeing when the goals are being scored and who they're being scored against. Not against lower league opposition in games already won. That's if you only want to measure it in goals.

 

[anant]

90% United fans on Red Cafe rate players based on stats. Sad.

Tell me what we have lost so far from Mata's injury compare to before he got injured.

I'll be glad to hear/read that from you. Even the stats doesn't tell much difference and yet you make it sounds like he's been very critical to our unbeaten run records.

Its amazing to see a United fan not being able to appreciate Mata's contribution. Till we had Mata, we were able to break opposition down pretty easily. Compare that to our game vs Everton, we were probably the 2nd best side that day and we didn't exactly trouble their defence. Mata is a genuine goal scoring threat unlike guys like Lingard or even Mkhi this season. His conversion rate is possibly the best in our side. Also, the fact that he produces goals or assists at crucial times and has always turned up in big games- goals against Arsenal, City in League Cup; goals vs WHU, assist vs Boro, etc. when it seemed like we were headed for another draw- are just some of his contributions due to which we've remained unbeaten
Edit: Going by your logic that we drew with Lingard, we drew with Mata, which implies he didn't make a difference, then we won't even be missing Ibra, should he get injured or suspended. We've played 3 without Ibra- Arsenal, WBA and Boro- Won 1, drew 2 of which 1 is a good side and other is currently in top 8

 

[Di Maria's angel]

And I wasn't wrong.
We still got the same results. We drew with Mata and with Lingard.

Doesnt he have the highest win percentage among all our players when starting?

 

[Mike09]

Is that not exactly what you're doing here? Just looking at stats and saying there's not much difference. What you're better off doing is watching the games and seeing when the goals are being scored and who they're being scored against. Not against lower league opposition in games already won. That's if you only want to measure it in goals.

Nope! You are missing the point. This why people who wants to have conversation or discussion need to learn how to read the whole post not just one sentence. Just because I mentioned number of goals or stats at the start of paragraph doesn't mean I'm just looking at stats.

Read the sentences again that I have also talked about how that when we are with or without Mata we are still creating a lot of chances, getting the same results and still having the same problems. I have also mentioned that If United lose Mata, it's not a big loss because we have players who can back him up and fill what he offers. All of these can only be judged and viewed by watching the game. Thus, I used both stats and watching the game.

 

[acnumber9]

Nope! You are missing the point. This why people who wants to have conversation or discussion need to learn how to read the whole post not just one sentence. Just because I mentioned number of goals or stats at the start of paragraph doesn't mean I'm just looking at stats.

Read the sentences again that I have also talked about how that when we are with or without Mata we are still creating a lot of chances, getting the same results and still having the same problems. I have also mentioned that If United lose Mata, it's not a big loss because we have players who can back him up and fill what he offers. All of these can only be judged and viewed by watching the game. Thus, I used both stats and watching the game.

I've read it all thanks. Not only have you been a hypocrite on stats you're obviously not paying full attention to games. You're also ignorant of the fact that if Mata were available we would have attackingnoptuons to bring on if the game wasn't going out way.

That may be true of last night but it certainly wasn't the case against Everton or West Brom. Far apart from him creating more chances than the others he's also a better finisher. To suggest he's not missed because he has also played in drawn games is beyond stupid.

 

[Ramshock]

The obvious mistake you're making is in pressuming his presence in games we've drawn, is evidence of his failure to influence them. The point everyone else is making, is that his presence (and goals) in games we've won, is better evidence of his ability to.

Of course he didn't win us the games we drew, because we drew them! (Apart from the Arsenal game, where he drew us a game we could've lost) but he's won us, or helped us win, games we would've otherwise drawn. Evidenced by the fact he's scored more opening and winning goals than anyone bar Zlatan (and anyone bar Rooney since he signed)...

That's how his influence is measured. Just as Zlatan's influence is measured by his 29 goals, rather than his ever-present presence in all the same draws Mata has failed to win, and a few more.

As for this evening, I don't actually think we missed him as much as against West Brom and Everton. We weren't struggling to break them down or anything, we were just lazy. If we don't get him back for the return, I won't be too worried. But if he's not fit by May we're definitely a bit fecked.

good post

need him back

 

[Adisa]

We are missing his ability to get in the box more than his creativity. It's almost pointless watching us play.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

We're missing him all 'round because...

He's actually our best player. And I do mean that seriously.

Since he signed for us, he's scored the most important (and best) goals for us, he's been shifted around all over the place and never complained and always given his best.

He's constantly worked on his game and actually gotten better in his weak areas (regaining possession, interceptions) and even won Mourinho back over.

He's a (possibly the) fan's favourite due to his own actual personality and warmth, no memes or pushy Adidas marketing needed, just leave him to it and he'll do it himself.

He's never had the preferential treatment that others have had - he's never had the team built around him, which would make him (and us) even better.

It's funny, or ironic, that in many ways Mata is really the signing that the club has wanted so desperately that they've perhaps failed to realise that they actually got it!

If Mata was put in the 10 slot, left there all season - as Zlatan has been left up top - and other players built around him (rather than using him as the supporting cast to less effective players) we'd be a real force right now...

 

[Mike09]

Its amazing to see a United fan not being able to appreciate Mata's contribution. Till we had Mata, we were able to break opposition down pretty easily. Compare that to our game vs Everton, we were probably the 2nd best side that day and we didn't exactly trouble their defence. Mata is a genuine goal scoring threat unlike guys like Lingard or even Mkhi this season. His conversion rate is possibly the best in our side. Also, the fact that he produces goals or assists at crucial times and has always turned up in big games- goals against Arsenal, City in League Cup; goals vs WHU, assist vs Boro, etc. when it seemed like we were headed for another draw- are just some of his contributions due to which we've remained unbeaten
Edit: Going by your logic that we drew with Lingard, we drew with Mata, which implies he didn't make a difference, then we won't even be missing Ibra, should he get injured or suspended. We've played 3 without Ibra- Arsenal, WBA and Boro- Won 1, drew 2 of which 1 is a good side and other is currently in top 8

I don't think I'm not appreciating what Mata did this season. I have stated the obvious and fact that Mata has done slightly better than the other four, but losing a player who is only slightly better won't make much affect as we are still getting the same results with and without Mata. We are still having the same problems with and without Mata, we are still creating a lot of chances with and without Mata.

I don't see scored 6 league goals is considered to be a significantly better in goal threat just because he's our 2nd top scorer if the 3rd and 4th one are only 2 difference goals with less minutes. If you are using 3 games without Zlatan as your excuse and the answer of my question then what about the game when both Mata and Zlatan played when we got draw results such as Burnley, Stoke, West Ham, Bournemouth and etc? They are the same results as what we got without Mata recently. And again, Lingard isn't the only available option that we have to replace Mata.

 

[Mike09]

I've read it all thanks. Not only have you been a hypocrite on stats you're obviously not paying full attention to games. You're also ignorant of the fact that if Mata were available we would have attackingnoptuons to bring on if the game wasn't going out way.

That may be true of last night but it certainly wasn't the case against Everton or West Brom. Far apart from him creating more chances than the others he's also a better finisher. To suggest he's not missed because he has also played in drawn games is beyond stupid.

Well, again I will still have doubt that you are reading them all since you still think I have been a hypocrite on stats when clearly I used both stats and the game itself. You only used 1 sentence as a proof but ignoring the other sentences.

Mata is being another attacking options to bring on may have an affect but doesn't mean we are solving our main problem for not be able to convert the chances into goals. You being an ignorant of the fact that when Mata wasn't injured we had 10 draws in the league. So whether you want to call ''the fact'' or ''reality'' is beyond stupid but I don't think we can just ignoring them. What we missed are another goal scorer in the team not just relying on one player to score goals, and we have the same of this problem even before Mata got injured.

 

[el3mel]

Mourinho has confirmed Juan Mata will be out until the "end of May"

 

[el3mel]

That will be very bad for us. He's our only other option who can finish his chances beside Zlatan and probably the most consistent attacker in terms of performance.

 

[Mike09]

We're missing him all 'round because...

He's actually our best player. And I do mean that seriously.

Since he signed for us, he's scored the most important (and best) goals for us, he's been shifted around all over the place and never complained and always given his best.

He's constantly worked on his game and actually gotten better in his weak areas (regaining possession, interceptions) and even won Mourinho back over.

He's a (possibly the) fan's favourite due to his own actual personality and warmth, no memes or pushy Adidas marketing needed, just leave him to it and he'll do it himself.

He's never had the preferential treatment that others have had - he's never had the team built around him, which would make him (and us) even better.

It's funny, or ironic, that in many ways Mata is really the signing that the club has wanted so desperately that they've perhaps failed to realise that they actually got it!

If Mata was put in the 10 slot, left there all season - as Zlatan has been left up top - and other players built around him (rather than using him as the supporting cast to less effective players) we'd be a real force right now...

That is just a statement of who's our best attacking midfielder. But the fact is this season Mata hasn't been the solution of what we are missing this season. What we are missing is another player beside Zlatan that we can rely on to convert the chances into goals. Mata is having 6 league goals with only 2 goals above the 3rd and 4th top scorer is clearly not someone that we want to have as our 2nd top scorer or someone that we can expect to solve the problem and carry the expectation. So these draw results are just the same results we got before Mata got injured.

 

[acnumber9]

Well, again I will still have doubt that you are reading them all since you still think I have been a hypocrite on stats when clearly I used both stats and the game itself. You only used 1 sentence as a proof but ignoring the other sentences.

Mata is being another attacking options to bring on may have an affect but doesn't mean we are solving our main problem for not be able to convert the chances into goals. You being an ignorant of the fact that when Mata wasn't injured we had 10 draws in the league. So whether you want to call ''the fact'' or ''reality'' is beyond stupid but I don't think we can just ignoring them. What we missed are another goal scorer in the team not just relying on one player to score goals, and we have the same of this problem even before Mata got injured.

When a team needs goals it's going to miss its second most reliable scorer. That's a fairly basic principle.

 

[Philadelphian]

Think Jose keeps him for next year as backup and then if Jose stays beyond next year (hopefully he does), he will move on after next season. Maybe even January again. Mata will want more playing time than he gets here under Jose. That's my assumption.

 

[Robertd0803]

FFS Id stayed off social media after last nights balls up and the first time I went on today is to see Mata confirmed out the rest of the season. Fantastic.

 

[Mike09]

When a team needs goals it's going to miss its second most reliable scorer. That's a fairly basic principle.

Sure it is fairly basic principle if the 2nd most reliable scorer scores more than 10 goals like Hazard and Alli. But he doesn't and he's only a few differences with the players (with less minutes) who can replace him, Mkhytaryan (1 goal diff), Martial (3 goals diff), Rashford (2 goals diff).

 

[anant]

Sure it is fairly basic principle if the 2nd most reliable scorer scores more than 10 goals like Hazard and Alli. But he doesn't and he's only a few differences with the players (with less minutes) who can replace him, Mkhytaryan (1 goal diff), Martial (3 goals diff), Rashford (2 goals diff).

Again, goals /90 minutes for Mata> all the three players you mentioned. You multiply those goals scored /90 mins by 38, apart from Mkhi, who'd trail Mata by 2 goals, none of your supposed replacements come even close to Mata's numbers. Also, there is no point including goals scored in the cups especially the FA Cup due to quality of teams we drew there, just distorts the true picture. Also, while we are comparing the second top scorer of some of the sides:

Just included Zlatan in there to see what we'd miss if he gets injured. This isn't to say that Mata has been better than Dele or Hazard, but the fact that Juan has been a great player this season.
No matter what your stance on use of stats may be, they atleast give a directional sense if not anything else

 

[Mike09]

Again, goals /90 minutes for Mata> all the three players you mentioned. You multiply those goals scored /90 mins by 38, apart from Mkhi, who'd trail Mata by 2 goals, none of your supposed replacements come even close to Mata's numbers. Also, there is no point including goals scored in the cups especially the FA Cup due to quality of teams we drew there, just distorts the true picture. Also, while we are comparing the second top scorer of some of the sides:

Just included Zlatan in there to see what we'd miss if he gets injured. This isn't to say that Mata has been better than Dele or Hazard, but the fact that Juan has been a great player this season.
No matter what your stance on use of stats may be, they atleast give a directional sense if not anything else

Well, at least I'm speaking about a fact that Mkhytaryan, Martial, and Rashford are only 1 to 3 goals difference with Mata's. Which I can't see huge difference.
But It's embarrassing how can there is someone like you make a comparison about goals between our 2nd top scorer and Chelsea/Spurs second goal scorer. Mata only scored 6 league goals this season. Him being 2nd goal scorer with 6 goals is nothing compared to both Hazard and Alli who score more than 10 goals which are significantly difference. How can you not be able to see that all our attacking midfielder include Mata have been shocking with their end product??!!! We only scored almost the same amount of goals with Bournemouth!! If you think being our 2nd top scorer with 6 goals is considered to be 'great', it's sad that to say this but we really have fallen.

Remember when our 2nd top scorer scored a lot of goals? Oh good old times.

 

[anant]

Well, at least I'm speaking about a fact that Mkhytaryan, Martial, and Rashford are only 1 to 3 goals difference with Mata's. Which I can't see huge difference.
But It's embarrassing how can there is someone like you make a comparison about goals between our 2nd top scorer and Chelsea/Spurs second goal scorer. Mata only scored 6 league goals this season. Him being 2nd goal scorer with 6 goals is nothing compared to both Hazard and Alli who score more than 10 goals which are significantly difference. How can you not be able to see that all our attacking midfielder include Mata have been shocking with their end product??!!! We only scored almost the same amount of goals with Bournemouth!! If you think being our 2nd top scorer with 6 goals is considered to be 'great', it's sad that to say this but we really have fallen.

Remember when our 2nd top scorer scored a lot of goals? Oh good old times.

Amazing! So the minutes played argument comes into picture when Mata has played 300 minutes more but not when he's played a 1000 minutes less.
I'm not sure what part of per 90 minutes you aren't getting tbf. And I'm not saying Mata has been better than these 2, but in terms of overall contribution, he isn't that worse statistically, which I would reiterate, is giving atleast a directional sense

 

[Mike09]

Amazing! So the minutes played argument comes into picture when Mata has played 300 minutes more but not when he's played a 1000 minutes less.
I'm not sure what part of per 90 minutes you aren't getting tbf. And I'm not saying Mata has been better than these 2, but in terms of overall contribution, he isn't that worse statistically, which I would reiterate, is giving atleast a directional sense

You are being deluded by stats mate!! Look at the reality!! Can't you see what we have been lacking this season? Can't you see why we have almost the same total goals as Bournemouth? Can't you see the problems why we have so many draws??? Can't you see why we are being linked with Griezmann, Sanchez, Lukaku?? Can't you see that 2 difference goals is what we call it a little different but more than 8-10 goals are huge difference? Do you actually believe if Mata isn't injured he will solve the problems??

Even if you combine Mata's goal in all comp and compare it to Hazard/Alli goals in the league only, Mata's combine goal is still can't reach theirs.

 

[anant]

You are being deluded by stats mate!! Look at the reality!! Can't you see what we have been lacking this season? Can't you see why we have almost the same total goals as Bournemouth? Can't you see the problems why we have so many draws??? Can't you see why we are being linked with Griezmann, Sanchez, Lukaku?? Can't you see that 2 difference goals is what we call it a little different but more than 8-10 goals are huge difference? Do you actually believe if Mata isn't injured he will solve the problems??

Even if you combine Mata's goal in all comp and compare it to Hazard/Alli goals in the league only, Mata's combine goal is still can't reach theirs.

What is your problem with Mata blud! Its just mental to blame your most creative and most clinical player in front of goal for all the goal scoring troubles. Common sense would dictate that the weakest of the 3 gets removed, but you want to remove the best among those 3! Mata may not be the solution to all our problems, but is a better alternative to what we have. And I see that suddenly you've stopped using the minutes played argument as it isn't favouring your stance.
This is the last post as I'm not going to get dragged in another argument like the one in pre-season. If you can't see his contribution and still think that he hasn't been among our best players this season, then there is nothing one can say

 

[kouroux]

It would make sense that if Mata played more, he'd score more. He isn't probably the solution to our offensive woes but after Zlatan, he's our most reliable scorer

 

[Mike09]

It would make sense that if Mata played more, he'd score more. He isn't probably the solution to our offensive woes but after Zlatan, he's our most reliable scorer

Don't you think it also makes sense if Mkhytaryan, Martial and Rashford played more he'd score more?

 

[Mike09]

What is your problem with Mata blud! Its just mental to blame your most creative and most clinical player in front of goal for all the goal scoring troubles. Common sense would dictate that the weakest of the 3 gets removed, but you want to remove the best among those 3! Mata may not be the solution to all our problems, but is a better alternative to what we have. And I see that suddenly you've stopped using the minutes played argument as it isn't favouring your stance.
This is the last post as I'm not going to get dragged in another argument like the one in pre-season. If you can't see his contribution and still think that he hasn't been among our best players this season, then there is nothing one can say

I have exactly no problems with Mata. It's you who are having problems with my post. People are just twisting my word. I only said Mata has been better than the other four but being slightly better aren't going to make significantly different and with or without him are not going to change our problem why we have been getting these draw results. What we have been missing this season are another goal scorer beside Zlatan. Mata and the other four have yet shown to be the solution. We have the squad players who can replace him but we don't the players who can solve the problems. If Zlatan is injured then it's what we call it big loss because we don't have a player who have near with his influence and contribution.

 

[kouroux]

Don't you think it also makes sense if Mkhytaryan, Martial and Rashford played more he'd score more?

Yeah but what we can do is just compare their averages and speculate about who would score more if they all had the minutes. Mata is a more reliable finisher for me and this without a doubt.

 

[Philadelphian]

Throwing my hat in here. I'm with @Mike09 - never thought we'd get far anyway if Mata was our second best scorer/attacker. 3rd or 4th maybe.