Passenger on the pitch who is done at elite level, watching some of the lower teams I'm not even sure he could play for anyone.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 37
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 7
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
He had 5 minutes on the pitch you raging weirdos
Easy. A hattrick and a couple of assists
I'll never get the reason why he gets hate. He had 5 minutes today, 10 vs Wolves and he isn't an impact sub. Needs time to settle in, understand the pace of the game to make an impact, and I'm sure people on here realize that before throwing abuse at him.
Ideally he should be starting games like these, instead of James and especially Lingard. Our record with him in starting XI since last year is way better than when he hasn't started, no idea why he isnt given more starts
He needs to come in for Lingard as the number 10 if Ole won't use Gomes yet. I know he's slow and lacks in the physical side but at the very least he can control the ball and pick a pass. I'd rather lose a bit of the press against teams like Palace and gain a little more in creativity. He also is way more of a goal threat and is our best free kick taker. It's not perfect by any means but in our current situation he's probably the best 10 we have right now. Only other option would be hoping Sanchez can play reasonably well there.
He did one good thing and one bad.
The bad was that - right after coming on - his first attempt at a lobbed ball went out for a throw in despite him being under no pressure. I still don't get where this myth of him being a creative, quality passer of the ball comes from.
The good thing was that - as pretty much our last man - he reclaimed the ball and actually managed to shield it really well under pressure, and turned out of trouble winning us a free kick in doing so.
The bad was that - right after coming on - his first attempt at a lobbed ball went out for a throw in despite him being under no pressure. I still don't get where this myth of him being a creative, quality passer of the ball comes from.
The good thing was that - as pretty much our last man - he reclaimed the ball and actually managed to shield it really well under pressure, and turned out of trouble winning us a free kick in doing so.
If we replace Lingard with Mata we would improve shit actually. While a better player, Mata is still not good enough.
I think whats frustrating people here is that Mata, while only given 5/10 minutes to make an impact, is taking valuable time away from Gomes who is seen to be a future prospect that could potentially be a great player.
Personally I think he is done at the top level (at least in the premier league), but yes making an impact in the 85th minute is a tough ask.
Personally I think he is done at the top level (at least in the premier league), but yes making an impact in the 85th minute is a tough ask.
2018/19
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P17 W10 D6 L1
PpG- 2.12
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P21 W9 D3 L9
PpG- 1.43
Under Ole Last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P9 W5 D4 L0
PpG- 2.11
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P12 W7 D0 L5
PpG- 1.75
Vs Top 6 sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P3 W0 D3 L0
PpG- 1
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P7 W1 D1 L5
PpG- 0.57
Vs All Other sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P14 W10 D3 L1
PpG- 2.36
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P14 W8 D2 L4
PpG- 1.86
Such a correlation between Mata starts and our performance is not just a coincidence. He has his weaknesses and I'd rather not play him against Top 6 and against some of the tougher sides away. But Mata is a necessity against sides that sit back, atleast till the time we don't have anyone better.
Edit:
Season before that:
With Mata-
P23 W17 D3 L3
PpG- 2.35
Without Mata
P15 W8 D3 L4
PpG- 1.8
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P17 W10 D6 L1
PpG- 2.12
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P21 W9 D3 L9
PpG- 1.43
Under Ole Last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P9 W5 D4 L0
PpG- 2.11
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P12 W7 D0 L5
PpG- 1.75
Vs Top 6 sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P3 W0 D3 L0
PpG- 1
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P7 W1 D1 L5
PpG- 0.57
Vs All Other sides last season
Games in which Mata started or played more than 60 mins:
P14 W10 D3 L1
PpG- 2.36
Games where neither Mata started nor played 60 mins:
P14 W8 D2 L4
PpG- 1.86
Such a correlation between Mata starts and our performance is not just a coincidence. He has his weaknesses and I'd rather not play him against Top 6 and against some of the tougher sides away. But Mata is a necessity against sides that sit back, atleast till the time we don't have anyone better.
Edit:
Season before that:
With Mata-
P23 W17 D3 L3
PpG- 2.35
Without Mata
P15 W8 D3 L4
PpG- 1.8
Last edited:
People are still pissed that he signed a new contract i guess. We should have put him on the pitch a lot sooner. Hope he starts the next game.
The Caf is just bizarre after a loss.
I am so sick of our set pieces that I want Mata to play more.
Look at Liverpool, they were whipping in crosses not posing any threat to Arsenal and then score a set piece goal, Arsenal chase game and get destroyed on the break.
Mata is our only set piece specialist and I would take all of his flaws to see some competant free kicks and corners especially at home against a bus parker.
Look at Liverpool, they were whipping in crosses not posing any threat to Arsenal and then score a set piece goal, Arsenal chase game and get destroyed on the break.
Mata is our only set piece specialist and I would take all of his flaws to see some competant free kicks and corners especially at home against a bus parker.
The more time Mata spends on the bench, the better a player he becomes.
This guy will play more minutes than Gomes this season & some people will still believe the “young, courageous” crap.
Either Pereira or he should be playing against inferior opposition at home. Our only creative advanced players.
Agreed.
Mata is being underrated at this point, the bloke can still make a forward pass and he is a good finisher in and around the box. He might actually thrive with all the pace around him.
Tbh he should be in for two major reasons: having brains and being half-decent on set-pieces. As @Wednesday at Stoke mentioned, not bad at arriving in the box to finish either. We have enough pace and legs, need qualities to complement them.
Southampton 1:1 Man Utd
Neat, tidy but not much of a threat. Shadow of player he used to be.
Very good in the first half, quieter in the second, but should never have come off.
With Mata even when he's decent, like today, he's not so good that its worth playing him.
Played well.
Compared to the dross he played well but for me he plays it too safe
On the fringes like normal. One or two neat passes, never a threat
Should be starting ahead of Lingard.
Just pointless player on the pitch. As pointless as United extending his contract.
Good first half.
He was good in the first half imo. Did far well than I usually expect from him in these kind of away games.
I thought he had a decent match. Did well to find space in the first half. Unselfish run off the ball created uncertainty in the Southampton defence, allowing Dan James the space to shoot for his goal.
Did well enough, I am not sure why the feck was he replaced by Lingard when the Saints were defending deep...
Had a good game. Felt he shouldn't have been subbed and had he not been subbed, he would have been an important player after Southampton went down to 10 men
Had a good game and should not have been subbed. We should have gotten Rashford off and Greenwood on earlier instead.
Should have left him on instead of Lingarrd.
He was decent today, so much better than the likes of Lingard and Periera. At least the guy can keep possession.
No secret we need a huge upgrade in that 10 position (or play Pogba), but he's the best option we have now.
No secret we need a huge upgrade in that 10 position (or play Pogba), but he's the best option we have now.
But he did though?
Thought he played quite well, seems to click with James. Questionable substitution, didn’t deserve to be hooked.
Had a pretty good game for once. Looked motivated.
Was unlucky to come off for Lingard, who was worse than him.
Robbie Earl at half time highlighted how he was helping and talking to James quite a lot during the first half.
Robbie Earl at half time highlighted how he was helping and talking to James quite a lot during the first half.
Mata and James were the best players in the first half. He has more intelligence than Rashford lingard and Perriera combined!! It’s a shame he was not used in this role when he was with us earlier! Too late now but still better option than lingard
He did, I meant from now on.
I also agree on him clicking with James, would like to see them get some games to develop more chemistry. I think James speed suits Mata's game pretty well.
- Status