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Life is good.

I've made my final comments on Mata with the response to Liquidator in regards to Oscar being the more tactically disciplined and thus superior option, and that's that. I will however address this.. I was playing devils advocate earlier on in the thread, I still appreciate what Mata brings to the table. Although Hazard is by far our best player, objectively. Mourinho being sacked was worse than Moscow for me, we lost a sense of identity as a club. In the grand scheme of things, Jose is more important than a mere 'pawn' (i.e single squad player).

@Liquidator Mourinho wants a tactically disciplined playmaker, Mata isn't that, as he's shown (not just in the big games) but throughout his time here. Hence why Jose even labeled Mata as a winger when questioned about his role (direct quotes). He doesn't track back, nor does he have the work rate Oscar possesses.

Man-City and the big european nights, minus the odd anomaly like the corner in the 2012 final or whatever the hell he did against Barca in the semi-final. These are games that define seasons.. No rebuttal ey.. Speaks volumes. No, it tells us we lacked options and Mata stood out like a sore thumb in the worst era of Roman's reign.

Hugh?, Hazard WAS playing, he wasn't on the bench. There was a very physically weak guy with zero pace and no sense of defensive responsibility on the bench though. I think it's that same guy who never turns up for the big games, and can't get into the spanish side, hmm.. starts with an 'M' doesn't it?

He wouldn't be dedicating shit to him if he was on the pitch, hence my reasoning. Respect the coaches decision and keep your head down.

Massive disrespect to Jose there, he should be grateful Mourinho picked 'him' in the first place! Torres advocating the return of 'player power' at the club will not end well for him.

If that was the case, then Jose was banking on Cech saving one. You could argue that was logical considering his performance prior to the shootout.

He will may score and have an outstanding game against Everton, people will come out the woodwork and slate everyone who criticised him. Context will be lost, and context is everything..

He responded to the Eto'o signing in the same way Schurrle responded to the Willian signing.

No.. What I'm getting at, is that JT is a coward for not stepping up, he's the captain ffs.

I remember a post-moscow interview with John Terry back in 2008, in which JT proclaimed he had been practising penalties and would continue to do so for the foreseeable future. This is a guy who's had years to perfect the art after learning the hard way.

He would have been literally useless in last nights game, hence why bringing him on wasn't even an option. And no, I'm not speaking exclusively post-Ramires. Although having said that, Mata would have buried that chance Oscar wasted (from the Dante mistake).

Wouldn't know, I'm not a psychologist. They both have (had in Kakuta's case) similar roles (reputations/expectancy) in the team at the time in which the events took place.

Remember what happend to Kakuta after he missed the decisive penalty in a league cup shoot-out..

Safe to say Schurrle has responded to the Willian signing.

Well, the latter in itself is a positive. And even if it forced them to terminate his contract, he'd have been rolling in the money. Hence why we let Malouda rot in the reserves..

Good bit of business, one year deal, he took a pay cut and it's a free transfer. Thus, the pressure will be off right from the start. Ba will be gone in January, I'd imagine Torres will just about keep his head above water though.

Wow, Rooney is a cold blooded mercenary, maybe he isn't the clueless caveman he's portrayed to be. Snide af..

He chose the number 21 shirt as a homage to his footballing idol Salomon Kalou.

Oscar is first choice CAM, Mourinho has said (direct quotes) that Mata will be an RW. Thus, Mata will be competing with 'natural' wingers, which will not end well for him.

Mourinho (and the club) understand the admiration for Mata amongst the fans, hence why he won't be sold THIS season. Jose needs/'and may want' to prove we can win without him. Or at least prove the team is better without him first, before alarming squad harmony. If we win a title or even a few cups and a very convincing title challenge, and Mata wasn't that instrumental.. there at least won't be any "if's or but's". His transfer value won't go down either, because it will just be a case of 'he didn't fit into OUR system'.

Notice how on Fifa 13 we have messed up player profile pics, Hazard is wearing a red coat!, ffs. Yet United's are all perfectly matching. Wish we still had a partnership with EA, this is why Kenyon was miles ahead of Gourlay.

In regards to the homegrown quota, Blackman may need to be our 3rd choice keeper, easy life for Hilario, hope he donates to charity or something.

This must be a monumental blow for KDB, monumental.. Oscar & Mata ahead of him at CAM, and now a £30m(?) man 'in his prime' plus the rest.. all ahead of him on the wings (minus Moses, who's off anyway). I bet he's now thinking about that interest from Dortmund earlier in the summer..