New deal for Mata

[roonster09]

Anybody who came in after Fergie was on a hiding to nothing. That was literally the most poisoned chalice in football history.

I actually felt sorry for Moyes a little in the sense that he was badly let down by the ineptitude of Woodward. Signing only Fellaini in that first window was an absolute disaster which can't be blamed solely on Moyes.

He did make some bizarre decisions and comments though which Rio has spoken of in depth. It probably was a step too far for him however he's shown he's a decent coach with Everton and Westham. Ancelotti couldn't even outperform Moyes's Everton despite spending shed loads remember.

He did good job at Everton and West Ham, also shit job at ManUtd, Sunderland, Sociedad, West Ham first time.

Yeah him and Woodward was a terrible pair. Moyes himself said he wanted to sign Fellaini but not as his first transfer, dithered whole summer. There were plenty of reports that Moyes didn't make up his mind on transfers until he watched player many times. It's not just Woodward's fault, it was the combination.

He got champions and took them to 7th. Even without transfers, we shouldn't be outside top4. Thats the team that won league so easily.

 

[wolvored]

Wasnt there talk he will be more an ambassador and this seson he will evolve into that? Bit like Robbo and Evra are/were. Grant will evolve into a coach as well. Heres one link link and one for grant Link

 

[flappyjay]

Steady on, he's just finished 6th with West Ham not spending a great deal and above Spurs, Arsenal, Everton and Villa.

He was badly treated at Manchester Utd. and seeing as this thread is about money, he was shafted financially too - you waited till it was mathematically impossible to get CL football and then fired him; saving money, whilst now you pay Mata (nobody knows quite how much, but I bet its over a million) to do what exactly?

Moyes was a scapegoat to mask the under-investment in Man Utd. in the several years prior to his appointment - whomever got the job after Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a poisened chalice. They should have been given at least 3 years to turn things around, without the contract clause stating top-four was a minimum target, hanging over their head.

He took the champions to a 7nth place finish. Are saying 6 teams somehow drastically improved enough in a summer that they got that much better than the champions?

 

[bsCallout]

People on this site never seem to get context. It seems Mata is going to be staying with us after this 1 year deal in some sort of boardroom / coaching role (there are rumours of both currently)

What's context? Never heard of it.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

If his contract is significantly reduced I see no problem in this, however at this point his 5-10 games per season should go to Hannibal and Amad. His presence in the club is a big plus, that's for sure but he became really pointless player and playing him will give us next to nothing. He declined massively from what was already not the best fit of a player coming from Chelsea and we shouldn't be too nice.

So if it was me I would take him of our wage bill, let him go finish his career to Valencia or somewhere and offer him an ambassador role or perhaps a coaching role in the future. I think he's a very clever player and human being for a footballer so I believe he and Ander has good chances to be successful coaches, if they decide to go that path.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

Steady on, he's just finished 6th with West Ham not spending a great deal and above Spurs, Arsenal, Everton and Villa.

He was badly treated at Manchester Utd. and seeing as this thread is about money, he was shafted financially too - you waited till it was mathematically impossible to get CL football and then fired him; saving money, whilst now you pay Mata (nobody knows quite how much, but I bet its over a million) to do what exactly?

Moyes was a scapegoat to mask the under-investment in Man Utd. in the several years prior to his appointment - whomever got the job after Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a poisened chalice. They should have been given at least 3 years to turn things around, without the contract clause stating top-four was a minimum target, hanging over their head.

Oh dear. It is partly true that there was some underinvestment in the squad but come on, you can't be serious to say that that squad would play such horrible football while finishing behind all the worse squads by some margin including Everton. He's a fraud and never meant for a big job at a big club. Some people are just meant to be with underdogs and fair play to them, but top club management is different animal.

One last note, getting panic buys which doesn't suit our football in Fellaini and Mata while going full for Bale and Fabregas who didn't want to join is one of stupid decisions he made as a United manager. Only sums his out of the box thinking bringing only the players he knows. FFS he's the guy who took Pienaar and Anichebe everywhere with him..

 

[JebelSherif]

You have no clue how shit Moyes was for ManUtd. Just because he did good job at West Ham doesn't mean he was unfairly treated at ManUtd. He looked out of depth right from day 1.

He took the champions to a 7nth place finish. Are saying 6 teams somehow drastically improved enough in a summer that they got that much better than the champions?

You are both addressing the football issue, not my main point: the stinginess of Utd (then) compared with the 'charity' shown to Mata, which is what we are discussing now.

If Moyes was out of his depth from day one why not sack him after 6 months and pay him off with £20 million (what Mourinho got), alternatively - why not give him 3-4 years to sort things out (which is what SAF got).

No - the bean counters ruled and the day it was mathematically impossible to qualify for the CL, his contract was terminated saving Utd. money....

So why aren't the accountants now saying: "hang on a minute: a new contract for Mata, is that wise?" Is it a Corona thing, or does it indicate that Jadon Sancho will be the only significant signing this summer at Old Trafford?

 

[roonster09]

You are both addressing the football issue, not my main point: the stinginess of Utd (then) compared with the 'charity' shown to Mata, which is what we are discussing now.

If Moyes was out of his depth from day one why not sack him after 6 months and pay him off with £20 million (what Mourinho got), alternatively - why not give him 3-4 years to sort things out (which is what SAF got).

No - the bean counters ruled and the day it was mathematically impossible to qualify for the CL, his contract was terminated saving Utd. money....

So why aren't the accountants now saying: "hang on a minute: a new contract for Mata, is that wise?" Is it a Corona thing, or does it indicate that Jadon Sancho will be the only significant signing this summer at Old Trafford?

Levy confirmed we matched Madrid bid for Bale, both club and player rejected it. Moyes wanted Fabregas, he didn't want to leave that summer.

He was sacked after 10 months, you want him to be sacked after 6 months or give him 3 years. Doesn't make any sense. Top 4 was minimum expectations, he failed and got sacked. What's wrong with that.

How is Mata contact relevant to how shit Moyes was? Also how was ManUtd stingy when we paid more than release clause for Fellaini, made record bid for Bale.

Mata contract means few think he offers something useful for the club. No point reading too much with tin foil hat on.

 

[Tom Cato]

Ok I love this for all the reasons. In my company I spend a considerable amount of energy on recruiting not just people with skillsets, but people who mesh with and lift everyone around them. There's more to workplace, or team performance than just output. A football squad composition entails a lot of the same principles. The gaffer has spoken several times to this point: It's not about just recruiting good players, but players with the right personality.

1) 'El Mago' is by far the most well liked and respected human being in the Manchester United squad. Including the future Sir. Remember that the squad is full of players at the start of their careers. They need more than big egos in the team, they need leaders and rolemodels that lead by example, both on the pitch, but just as importantly during training and in their personal lives. These men and boys spend more time together most of the season than they do with their own family. The people they interact wth have a huge impact on the type of personality the kids will end up immitating. Juan Mata is a perfect professional and rolemodel to a up and coming footballer.

2) He's still a good player. He was voted Manchester United's player of the month during last season. He spent a considerable amount of time away from the squad due to his mothers illness and eventual passing. His free kick and penalty kick technique is better than anyone on the team. Bruno spends a lot of time with Mata during practice practicing free kicks.

3) His squad role will be limited to cup games and the occasional PL match entry during the occasional stalemate, injury crisis or match is over scenario. Not unlike: Every other team in the Premier League. We are likely to go deep in every contest this season, we need a broad squad that doesn't only rely on the U23's who have little to no experience with first team football yet. In this regard Mata is not a hindrance, he's there to help those who do play, along with every other first team squad player.

4) He's only 33. People are talking as if he's 39 and on crutches. He's not too old to even have a considerable resurgence.

5) The new contract was rumored to include a significant paycut in the region of 50% when these talks begun. The club chose not to utilize the option of a 1 year extension, so they have negotiated a smaller contract, and Mata still signed.

If Mata retires following this season he's rumoured to be included in a future staff role at the club, which would be an incredible scoop. Mata already has a great deal of professional exprience with the Common Goal Project - And can use his network, to promote Manchester United and get the club involved in meaningful charitable work as a sports director. Among other things more naturally fitting under a Sports Director role such as day to day operation.

https://juanmata8.com/en/common-goal/

So I slept on this and had a thought this morning that I just wanted to add to my original post - A bit of further positivity surrounding the club.

For me, the people in the club and the atmosphere in and around the club is as important as the results on the pitch. I want to feel good about supporting my club. I want to support positive rolemodels and skillful players of the game.

My thought is that how good must the clubs atmosphere be to make Juan extend his stay at reduced wages and limited playing opportunities. He's trading precious gametime at the tail end of his career over staying in a place he feels wanted with people who welcome and cherish his presence.

The thought came to my mind following Cavanis extension. Edi was originally set to leave after one year, having already lined up a return to South American club football, the club near but confirmed it, his family members spoke words to that effect, and yet he chose to stay another year at Manchester United. It's probably difficult for most Europeans to understand just how big of a deal this is to Cavani. But in his own words:

"But, talking about family again, my immediate family, with my partner and our children here, we sat down and had a good chat. We decided that because of the love that has been shown, that affection that has been shown by the fans, everyone within the club and my team-mates, we decided that we would sacrifice – not in a negative way – and put on hold going back to our family and parents back home."

"We wanted to do it for everyone who has shown that genuine affection for us and, as I say, family is the pillar of your existence, the most important ethical thing of your life, but we wanted to stay and play for one more year because of that kindness we have been shown here.”

My point here very short: What an incredible environment for our youngsters to grow in, for our fans to support, and the players to thrive in.

 

[mancan92]

Yeah but they're managers... A manager at a Championship club is clearly a bigger/better job then a coach at Man Utd.

Not really no. There's coaches at big teams who become managers of smaller teams very often. In fact alot of coaches were assistants at big teams and move to manage small teams. There's different levels. No player goes straight into a top club as a coach or manager they go through either a smaller team or youth teams.

 

[mancan92]

Eh?

Giggs was interim manager for like four games.

Exactly but wasn't given the full time job because he was qualified for it.

 

[El Jefe]

David Silva and Aguero have left City, Ramos has left Madrid, Suarez left Barcelona even Buffon left Juve twice yet we're keeping Mata on when its been clear for 3 years now he has nothing to offer this team. The privileges we give to players who are totally undeserving of them is astonishing. Mata would've been binned off at any of our rivals a long time ago.

Saying he's good with the youngsters is nonsense. Rio was excellent with young players and we still moved him on and it didn't stop us bringing through Rashford or developing Martial and Shaw in the LVG years.

Mata is a waste of a space. All of his mins should be allocated to Amad and VDB, any second he plays is a waste of available minutes.

 

[paulscholes18]

The more I think about it the less it makes sense, paying Mata 80+k a week when he most likely won’t even make the bench.
IMO the bench next season will be
DDG
Lindelof/ Bailly
Telles
McTominay/ Fred or Matic
VDB
Greenwood
Martial

 

[ICHM]

A waste of money, he was good, however now he is too slow even for him. We would be better blooding somebody 17-19.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

This is brilliant from Bruno.

 

[roseguy64]

Won’t play 1 match

I'll take that bet

 

[choccy77]

Nope. Doubled to match De Gea, I believe.

He's no Phil Jones though.

 

[roseguy64]

David Silva and Aguero have left City, Ramos has left Madrid, Suarez left Barcelona even Buffon left Juve twice yet we're keeping Mata on when its been clear for 3 years now he has nothing to offer this team. The privileges we give to players who are totally undeserving of them is astonishing. Mata would've been binned off at any of our rivals a long time ago.

Saying he's good with the youngsters is nonsense. Rio was excellent with young players and we still moved him on and it didn't stop us bringing through Rashford or developing Martial and Shaw in the LVG years.

Mata is a waste of a space. All of his mins should be allocated to Amad and VDB, any second he plays is a waste of available minutes.

So all those teams you listed have no players over 30 then?

Also, Rio was done as a player when he moved on. As Mata showed last season, when he was available and not dealing with the family issues he had, he's still good enough. This is not a Rio situation.

Also, we let Young, Rojo, Sanchez, Smalling Romero go under Ole. Players who were 30 and over.

 

[crossy1686]

A waste of money, he was good, however now he is too slow even for him. We would be better blooding somebody 17-19.

Exactly, if we'd have got rid last season then Greenwood, Shoretire, Engala and Amad would have got game time. Hold on a second...

 

[MrSingh2002]

David Silva and Aguero have left City, Ramos has left Madrid, Suarez left Barcelona even Buffon left Juve twice yet we're keeping Mata on when its been clear for 3 years now he has nothing to offer this team. The privileges we give to players who are totally undeserving of them is astonishing. Mata would've been binned off at any of our rivals a long time ago.

Saying he's good with the youngsters is nonsense. Rio was excellent with young players and we still moved him on and it didn't stop us bringing through Rashford or developing Martial and Shaw in the LVG years.

Mata is a waste of a space. All of his mins should be allocated to Amad and VDB, any second he plays is a waste of available minutes.

Mata's a great guy. But feck all that. If he's not going to play even a handful of games with Rashford, Martial, Greenwood, Sancho, James and Amad all competing with him for a spot on the right wing why did we offer a new deal?

Surely we're not paying him 200k a week to be a good fella or mentor to the younger players. This ones almost as much of a silly deal as giving Phil Jones a 4 year deal last year.

 

[jem]

Whilst it is the Glazers money, it takes away from spending those wages on another player (e.g. part fund someone we need, like Varane).

I get he is a great role model and professional etc. Plus he seems a really nice guy, but we should have let him go and strenghtened elsewhere.

Oh well, now we have him, I hope he starts every League cup and the easier FA cup games and we dont still run our first XI into the ground.

Of the many, many charges that can be leveled at the Glazers, willingnes/ability to splash out on wages isn't one of them. In fact, it's a weakness of theirs, as they continue give big contracts to players, making them that much more difficult to move and/or problematic in the dressing room. So I don't see this being a problem with Mata's contract, as we won't be looking to move him on, and I can't see others resenting him for it. However, I do find it hard to understand for the simple fact that Ole hardly played him last season.

 

[El Jefe]

So all those teams you listed have no players over 30 then?

Also, Rio was done as a player when he moved on. As Mata showed last season, when he was available and not dealing with the family issues he had, he's still good enough. This is not a Rio situation.

Also, we let Young, Rojo, Sanchez, Smalling Romero go under Ole. Players who were 30 and over.

I'm pretty sure we have Cavani and Matic in our team, both who contributed far more than Mata last year. Saying Mata was good enough last season is laughable, he played 511 minutes in the league and just 61mins in the CL. He's pretty much a non factor in the team now, especially with the signing of Sancho and Amad coming through.

Mata will not make the bench on most matchdays in the PL and CL. Him playing well against Derby County in the EFL or FA Cup is pointless as those are the games that should be given to younger players.

 

[clarkydaz]

David Silva and Aguero have left City, Ramos has left Madrid, Suarez left Barcelona even Buffon left Juve twice yet we're keeping Mata on when its been clear for 3 years now he has nothing to offer this team. The privileges we give to players who are totally undeserving of them is astonishing. Mata would've been binned off at any of our rivals a long time ago.

Saying he's good with the youngsters is nonsense. Rio was excellent with young players and we still moved him on and it didn't stop us bringing through Rashford or developing Martial and Shaw in the LVG years.

Mata is a waste of a space. All of his mins should be allocated to Amad and VDB, any second he plays is a waste of available minutes.

You really hit the jackpot signing for United. Can't fail

 

[Chesterlestreet]

It seems obvious enough that he wouldn't have been offered a new contract if there was no plan in place to ease him into a non-playing role.

I'll give United the benefit of the doubt here.

And he clearly isn't grabbing 250k (or was it 237k) per week, regardless of what @Hectic may claim.

ETA If he keeps showing up on the right wing, stinking up the place, next season - we can all get into meltdown. As it stands, though, I don't think there's any cause for concern.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Don't get the outrage at all. Are you all people that think football is the starting 11 you play every game, and that the players don't train and there are no other considerations bar starting 11 star ratings

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Don't get the outrage at all. Are you all people that think football is the starting 11 you play every game, and that the players don't train and there are no other considerations bar starting 11 star ratings

Abuse incoming….

he was away for many months this season due to his mother’s illness. Don’t think we can take much from last season as an analysis.

presume he’s on vastly reduced wages.

 

[roseguy64]

I'm pretty sure we have Cavani and Matic in our team, both who contributed far more than Mata last year. Saying Mata was good enough last season is laughable, he played 511 minutes in the league and just 61mins in the CL. He's pretty much a non factor in the team now, especially with the signing of Sancho and Amad coming through.

Mata will not make the bench on most matchdays in the PL and CL. Him playing well against Derby County in the EFL or FA Cup is pointless as those are the games that should be given to younger players.

You missed out where he missed basically like half the season? Also, he was a player of the month for us and that was well deserved when he did win it. You gonna blame him for his mom dying and him not being able to contribute to the team?

 

[roseguy64]

Abuse incoming….

he was away for many months this season due to his mother’s illness. Don’t think we can take much from last season as an analysis.

presume he’s on vastly reduced wages.

That fact keeps coming up in this thread yet people keep ignoring it when they say it's a waste of a renewal because he didn't play last season. He didn't play not because Ole didn't fancy him. If Ole didn't think him still good enough we'd have not renewed him. It's not like the Grant renewal where he'll never play, Mata should be expected to play a decent amount of games.

 

[Flytan]

Anybody who came in after Fergie was on a hiding to nothing. That was literally the most poisoned chalice in football history.

I actually felt sorry for Moyes a little in the sense that he was badly let down by the ineptitude of Woodward. Signing only Fellaini in that first window was an absolute disaster which can't be blamed solely on Moyes.

He did make some bizarre decisions and comments though which Rio has spoken of in depth. It probably was a step too far for him however he's shown he's a decent coach with Everton and Westham. Ancelotti couldn't even outperform Moyes's Everton despite spending shed loads remember.

The only reason we only signed fellaini is because he nixed signing Thiago. These moyes apologists blaming everything on woodward is hilarious

 

[Member 58925]

I hope he does stay as a coach when he retires. I have a feeling he'll make a good manager somewhere down the line. Bags full of football IQ, genuinely cares about people and has that competitive streak in him that allows him to be a p**** when necessary.

 

[Stobzilla]

What's context? Never heard of it.

Can he play in a midfield 2?

 

[yamo123x]

he is a good squad-player to have - he is only 33 and he is probably great for the kids

why can he juggle?

 

[The Cluck]

I have no problem whatsoever with a new deal for Mata. Yes, he probably won't be a regular starter unless there's a serious injury problem, but he'll offer much, much more than whatever minutes he ends up playing in matches. He's won everything in the game and he along with the other experienced players will be setting the standard on the training pitch, around the training ground, and while travelling to and from games, as well as providing insight to the coaching staff. Experience the likes of what Mata has is gold dust. Every squad needs a blend of youth and experience.

Look back through the years and most if not all of the championships that were won under Ferguson were done so with squads that included players who were at the same stage of their careers as Mata is now - off the top of my head I'm thinking of people like Bryan Robson in 1992/93 and 1993/94, Brian McClair in 1995/96 and 1996/97, and even the likes of Giggs and Scholes from about 2008 onwards when they didn't start very much. It's a squad game.

 

[#07]

 

[James35]

Such a pointless contract renewal.

 

[sullydnl]

Bit strange as it was pretty apparent he wouldn't get that much gametime. Though tbf maybe it wasn't as clear at the point he signed the contract that the likes of Lingard would be staying or that we'd be knocked out of the competition he was most likely to feature in so early.

 

[Born2Lose]

He'll need to start looking now if he's hoping to find some other mugs who'll pay him a £150k a week for January.

 

[AltiUn]

Such a pointless contract renewal.

We're very good at pointless contract renewals.

 

[#07]

He'll need to start looking now if he's hoping to find some other mugs who'll pay him a £150k a week for January.

Honestly, United make our own problems we really do. Seems all you need to do to get a new deal at United is not play!

 

[Ali Dia]

Well his contract is up in the summer again isn’t it? This is just lazy journalism if so. Of course he’ll be considering his future in January. Don’t worry there’ll probably be another deal there if he wants it. Great for the dressing room. If he goes to another team on a free all the heads who were saying it makes sense, he’s on less, he’s about to take a non playing role. It’s all just more propping up the squads value without paying transfer fees. Of course he still wants to play games, it’s just no other big club would pay him as much.