Juan Mata

[GlasgowRedz]

If I read anything in to players leaving I would look at the players he left out of the Squad yesterday not a player he played above our new shinny signing.
He took him off to kill time and because he is not as good as defending in the box as anyone else we had on the pitch.

If Jose wanted to force Mata out he would be training with the reserves like Bastian not playing at Wembley.

I agree. I took his explanation to mean that he wanted to break the game up with a final substitution and he was left with a decision of taking off Ibra or Fellaini from the players that started the game (assuming he wouldn't sub Bailly, Blind or Valencia with a midfielder). He's obviously not going to take those players off as they are the tallest on the park and would be needed to defend set pieces.

He then really had to pick between Herrera, Rashford or Mata as players that Mkhitaryan could replace and he decided to sub the smallest. He did what he did to make sure we won the game, it's what he's paid to do and what we all expect him to do.

 

[Kentonio]

Mourning has already said he is staying.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/03/jose-mourinho-juan-mata-stamford-bridge

 

[Full bodied red]

I disagree. I can see us selling Bastian, Mata and Fellaini and add Matuidi and Fabinho. The problem is that we got too many players who simply dont want to leave

As is said so often - after United, everything is second best, second class...The only way after us is downwards.....Can't blame them - why would you want to leave when you're living the dream ?

 

[Someone]

I can accept selling mata even though i like him, if jose doesn't believe in him then there's no point having him around.

It'd be a massive mistake though to replace him with a defender, we can't rely only on rooney, and i can't think of a proper replacement that isn't too expensive.

 

[Wade3]

Mata has proven his worth in preseason much more so than others. Mourinho would be foolish to sell him.

 

[Attila]

I think we should sell him. Use the money to get a decent right winger with some speed+strength

---------------Ibrahimovic-----------------
Martial-----------------------------Fast RW
--------Pogba-----------Mkhitaryan--------
-------------------DM-----------------------

This would be interesting to see

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Reckon we'd need to sell to a prem club to get a decent fee, so not sure he'd be willing to go, no bad thing, but not sure where he fits in anymore.

 

[AndyJ1985]

Hope he stays for one more season.

 

[charlenefan]

The media are some bunch of imbeciles.

The fact that Mourinho brought Mata on for 30 minutes, ahead of Mkhitaryan (who can play in the same position), actually says more about Mourinho's thoughts on the matter than him subbing Mata off with a minute to go because of his height (which I believe 100%, as I said before - Mourinho will do anything for even the smallest edge and he doesn't care how it looks). And that's if you want to even read into these things, which isn't the best idea seeing as the match was a glorified friendly.

But why have the media not picked up on the fact that Mata played 30 mins more than one of Mourinho's main signings yesterday, is that story not spicy enough?

If I read anything in to players leaving I would look at the players he left out of the Squad yesterday not a player he played above our new shinny signing.
He took him off to kill time and because he is not as good as defending in the box as anyone else we had on the pitch.

If Jose wanted to force Mata out he would be training with the reserves like Bastian not playing at Wembley.

The fact so many people on this forum are overlooking the above makes me think they're as stupid as the journalists writing this rubbish

 

[Randall Flagg]

The fact so many people on this forum are overlooking the above makes me think they're as stupid as the journalists writing this rubbish

Or perhaps he wants potential buyers to believe he is still part of his plans which would up the transfer fee

 

[Will Singh]

Agree with your logic but Mata is one of the players we could get a decent fee for, so publicly pushing him out might be counterproductive.

I'd be disappointed if we sold him as he's been one of the few positives over last 3 seasons and should be our first choice number 10.

As much as I love Mata, his height and strength is a big weakness which lets him down to play the #10 role, it really does hurt me to write this but he would be better off in the spainish league!

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

If Mourinho sells Mata but he keeps Fellaini then Mourinho can feck off.

 

[prateik]

I think we should sell him. Use the money to get a decent right winger with some speed+strength

---------------Ibrahimovic-----------------
Martial-----------------------------Fast RW
--------Pogba-----------Mkhitaryan--------
-------------------DM-----------------------

This would be interesting to see

Mata is not a danger to that perfect formation.. Mata could easily fit in as a squad player even if we want to play that formation..
The big BIG problem is Rooney..


He will get shoe-horned.. and that is going to be a problem unless he finds some good form... and plays well for the season... which isnt very likely going by recent years.

 

[Ephrem]

I think we should sell him. Use the money to get a decent right winger with some speed+strength

---------------Ibrahimovic-----------------
Martial-----------------------------Fast RW
--------Pogba-----------Mkhitaryan--------
-------------------DM-----------------------

This would be interesting to see

I use that in FIFA 16 lol . And my DM is verrati

 

[Ephrem]

If Mourinho sells Mata but he keeps Fellaini then Mourinho can feck off.

Fellaini will stay here because he is ready to accept the squad player status . dont think Mata will agree with that . I wont be surprised we we see a starting XI including

Mensah
Pogba Fellaini

 

[Adisa]

All the major papers including Sky and BBC saying he is staying and Mourinho sees him as a valuable squad member.
Quite telling Mourinho brought him on before Rashford when we were searching for a goal.

 

[devilish]

As is said so often - after United, everything is second best, second class...The only way after us is downwards.....Can't blame them - why would you want to leave when you're living the dream ?

I think its more the case of players not wanting to take a pay cut.

 

[Litch]

I think also Jose will already be thinking about next years targets or those he couldn't shoehorn into this year (4's enough) so if not this round, they'll be another cull next year. The Mata's et al will have a year less on their contracts too..

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

 

[Gasolin]

What's that sh*t about Mata again, he has no reason to leave, this is a player who has changed a lot since LVG took him (in a strange way, but more in line with Mourinho's football now).
Mata is technically gifted, no one should deny that. When the rest of the team does not perform, he collapses too but with the new signings, the energy should give Mata enough momentum to provide what we need from him: assists and goals.

I would be surprised if Mata doesn't show something this year.

 

[fishfingers15]

Bye Mata.

 

[AndyJ1985]

After buying Bolasie for £28m I hope we tell them to get stuffed if they offer us anything close to that for Mata.

 

[carlosp]

And he's off!

Totally staying.

 

[RC89]

I think we should sell him. Use the money to get a decent right winger with some speed+strength

---------------Ibrahimovic-----------------
Martial-----------------------------Fast RW
--------Pogba-----------Mkhitaryan--------
-------------------DM-----------------------

This would be interesting to see

I was thinking something similar today. With Mkhitaryan slightly higher up and maybe Rashford on the right. There'd be so much pace up to and Ibra should just set up camp in the 18 years box.

 

[Member 56313]

As is said so often - after United, everything is second best, second class...The only way after us is downwards.....Can't blame them - why would you want to leave when you're living the dream ?

Ronaldo, and, to an extent, Pogba disagree.

 

[RC89]

As much as I love Mata, his height and strength is a big weakness which lets him down to play the #10 role, it really does hurt me to write this but he would be better off in the spainish league!

I reckon he'd tear up Serie A. Milan looking for shiny new toys? As much as I like him and he merits a starting spot above Rooney, he's not indispensable.

 

[Adisa]

I think he still has a decent shot at the No. 10 position. Jose didn't sound convinced Rooney is a 10. The fact that he was Jose's first sub when chasing a goal is also encouraging.

 

[Lawman]

I reckon he'd tear up Serie A. Milan looking for shiny new toys? As much as I like him and he merits a starting spot above Rooney, he's not indispensable.

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

 

[RC89]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

Although I don't necessarily believe this to be true. Even if I were to agree, he's still been better than Rooney. Rooney has been below average for me.

 

[Adisa]

Give Rooney sometime in the No. 10 role. Let him sink or swim. If he flops, please Mourinho shouldn't hesitate to put Mata there.

 

[December_16]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

In a period where the whole team was average AND creativity was not encouraged, it's unfair to single Mata out as being average. If anything, I think he has been one of the brighter sparks in the team, even though that's not saying much. Scoring in the FA Cup final, too.

 

[lem8sh]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

Don't think that's true either imo.

 

[Ole90+3]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

Mata's goals and assists have actually been quite remarkable considering the 2 managers he has played under and their implemented "styles" that he's had to abide to.

I agree that his overall performances have been somewhat average, with the odd spectacular stand out game.

I think he is a good backup to have for the #10 position, however, he's almost too good a player to not be getting first team football when he could go to other good teams and achieve it.

I believe that attacking players for all top teams should have a decent element of pace, and since we aspire to be among the best in the world, Juan is not our man imo.

Another main issue of mine with Mata is that he takes the safe option too often; playing the ball sideways or purely just to maintain possession with no attacking intent, however, I'm happy to attribute this to Van Gaal and willing to give Mata a final chance this season.

 

[ChaddyP]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

I respect your opinion. But I must say I disagree with it. I think he's an above average player, not world class but certainly not average

 

[peridigm]

Give Rooney sometime in the No. 10 role. Let him sink or swim. If he flops, please Mourinho shouldn't hesitate to put Mata there.

Id' give Rooney 3 games as the #10. If he doesn't show any impetus and desire or simply looks like he's lost it, he should be on the bench. I firmly believe Jose will be the man to do it too. IF it happens, Mata should not be an automatic selection for that position. Herrera and Micki can play there. Micki depending on how long Lingard's form continues or rotation is required.

Mata will probably be sold this window or the next. For good reason too. Even if there is no rift between him and Jose, the media will be all over this all season and it will be unhealthy for him and the club. As much as I like Mata as a character, we have better options. He was misused in his time here as a RW and will not be used there under Jose. I'm sure Jose is looking at how he works with Pogba and the rest in training too. If nothing in that, he'll let him be sold.

 

[DevilRed]

Mata will be a valuable squad player and will give us the flexibility to have a true attacking mid in the team.

Its great to see us using a big squad with the insane number of matches we have to potentially play. Much the same way it was under Fergie.

Selling him would be daft when we probably wouldnt even recoup half the fee. Might as well keep him around unless he asks to leave.

 

[Lawman]

I respect your opinion. But I must say I disagree with it. I think he's an above average player, not world class but certainly not average

I agree with you in he's definitely an above average player (he's a really good player). But I think he's been stone average since signing for us. I was expecting great things from him. I go to a lot of the games and seeing him constantly slow our attack and play a sideways or backwards pass was heart breaking. Or running around getting there 2 seconds to late is tiresome. Then the hugs and kisses after being beaten or a bore draw makes me long for the days of Keane Ince Hughes Bruce Rio Giggs Scholes Robson Becks Nev Evra Vidic who gave you their all and would kick their granny's to win a game. Instead we have a Mr nice guy and that's not to my taste (sorry).

 

[ChaddyP]

I agree with you in he's definitely an above average player (he's a really good player). But I think he's been stone average since signing for us. I was expecting great things from him. I go to a lot of the games and seeing him constantly slow our attack and play a sideways or backwards pass was heart breaking. Or running around getting there 2 seconds to late is tiresome. Then the hugs and kisses after being beaten or a bore draw makes me long for the days of Keane Ince Hughes Bruce Rio Giggs Scholes Robson Becks Nev Evra Vidic who gave you their all and would kick their granny's to win a game. Instead we have a Mr nice guy and that's not to my taste (sorry).

I too agree with much of your sentiment. He slows down games (not sure if that is his fault or managerial instructions) I did expect great things from him like us building our game around him. His personality was always soft and cuddly, not sure what you were expecting but it has little bearing for me on his production on the football pitch.

With all of that said, he has above average passing when he feels like doing it, is above average at taking freekicks on goal, he has very good vision and has probably close to a world class touch. He is slow weak and sometimes can get lost in games. He is by no means average ( Jordan Henderson is average) he however is not the world class player we thought he was going to be with us which I think makes us play down what good he actually brings to the pitch. He is a luxury player, like an Isco, very good on the day but just not that amazing talent that you will build a team on or even always have in your starting line up.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

As much as I wished this was true it just isn't. Mata has been stone average since signing.

Bullshit. He's been our most (maybe 2nd) productive player since he's joined. Over the course of three average seasons, he's definitely been above average. Not as good as we wanted, but definitely not average.

 

[Gasolin]

I too agree with much of your sentiment. He slows down games (not sure if that is his fault or managerial instructions) I did expect great things from him like us building our game around him. His personality was always soft and cuddly, not sure what you were expecting but it has little bearing for me on his production on the football pitch.

With all of that said, he has above average passing when he feels like doing it, is above average at taking freekicks on goal, he has very good vision and has probably close to a world class touch. He is slow weak and sometimes can get lost in games. He is by no means average ( Jordan Henderson is average) he however is not the world class player we thought he was going to be with us which I think makes us play down what good he actually brings to the pitch. He is a luxury player, like an Isco, very good on the day but just not that amazing talent that you will build a team on or even always have in your starting line up.

Yep and in football, as Zidane or Platini used to say, the first touch is everything.
Do it right and you have the possibility to provide a very dangerous next move.

Mata is not average, and I think when he can run like the goal he scored against Liverpool with an assist from Herrera, this is exactly the kind of player we are looking for.
Hell even when he is doing a bicycle, it's the kind of player we're looking for. He will still bring quality on the pitch when it's required and hopefully, JM has decided to use him from time to time as #10.