🇪🇸 Juan Mata

[Special Juan 28,765]

They can field anyone they can but they have Pardew in charge.

End.

[didierforever 7,349]

good performance. getting into his groove. but he really can play only as a CAM. him behind RVP would be the best thing for united. good that its rvp who is injured and rooney who simply keeps coming into juan's area.

[Jase 43,479]

The only thing that is missing from Mata's game as a footballer is that physical capabilities such as having good stamina, pace, energy. His defensive workrate was an issue to begin with but he improved on it under Mourinho. Otherwise, he pretty much has the technical capabilities and that quick thinking to play those incisive passes, creating chances in tight situations or out of nothing. Basically, doing the things that we saw him did for us in the last 2 seasons. The funny thing about this whole situation is that I was thinking earlier if only we could merge him with Ramires. I mean, Ramires is like the opposite of Mata. Has all the physical capabilities to fit into Mourinho's system but lack the brain and technical prowess on the ball to truly flourish in the setup. Combine those two up and we would have a great player on our hands but shame that wasn't the case in any way..

[Blue Armour 4,725]

Mata has really started being influential for United, and I wish him all the best for his performances....

But I really, really cannot see him doing the stuff that Salah and Willian were doing today, with their defensive work-rate, pressing and eagerness to run with the ball. It might have worked in a different kind of team, but not in the one we seem to be building for the future.

[Las7 951]

The problem with Mata at United is Rooney playing as #10 both Mata and Kagawa are better in that position than Rooney. So either United starts using Rooney up top; or they won't utilize Mata correctly.

He would still be our second best attacking midfielder after Hazard; pity Jose doesn't rate him for his system. Like I said back when he was sold it would have been a lot better if we kept him until the summer. Simply right now as Oscar's form isn't particularly good he would have been a great option.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Did you see that flick assist for the 4th goal, tht is why Mata was useful in games against small teams parking the bus

Did u see hazard's flick for salah to get the penalty??

[communicate 2,703]

The only thing that is missing from Mata's game as a footballer is that physical capabilities such as having good stamina, pace, energy. His defensive workrate was an issue to begin with but he improved on it under Mourinho. Otherwise, he pretty much has the technical capabilities and that quick thinking to play those incisive passes, creating chances in tight situations or out of nothing. Basically, doing the things that we saw him did for us in the last 2 seasons. The funny thing about this whole situation is that I was thinking earlier if only we could merge him with Ramires. I mean, Ramires is like the opposite of Mata. Has all the physical capabilities to fit into Mourinho's system but lack the brain and technical prowess on the ball to truly flourish in the setup. Combine those two up and we would have a great player on our hands but shame that wasn't the case in any way..

Agree such as shame that he can't flourish in Mou system.

When he is allowed to play as no free role no 10, it is just fantastic how he can dominate a game with his movement and passing.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Your Champions League medal is en route via London to Manchester. Stay put, Juan

[Stats 7,227]

Just imagine if we had him now while Oscar has been in a slump of form. Would have been an excellent option with his vision and ability to score goals. We sold him for good money but as many people stated before we could end up regretting this. I would have Mata over Oscar no doubt now and let Oscar rest for a while. We sometimes just lack the creativity in the final third. Oscar is not a playmaker and Mata is and the loss of those abilities he gave us has had a part to play in the games we have messed up.

[yuvala 2,167]

Just imagine if we had him now while Oscar has been in a slump of form. Would have been an excellent option with his vision and ability to score goals. We sold him for good money but as many people stated before we could end up regretting this. I would have Mata over Oscar no doubt now and let Oscar rest for a while. We sometimes just lack the creativity in the final third. Oscar is not a playmaker and Mata is and the loss of those abilities he gave us has had a part to play in the games we have messed up.

That is exactly why I want another world-class AM, but no one seems to agree.

We sold a WC player and didn't bring in a proper replacement.

[haranr 485]

That is exactly why I want another world-class AM, but no one seems to agree.

We sold a WC player and didn't bring in a proper replacement.

Exactly!

[haranr 485]

Just imagine if we had him now while Oscar has been in a slump of form. Would have been an excellent option with his vision and ability to score goals. We sold him for good money but as many people stated before we could end up regretting this. I would have Mata over Oscar no doubt now and let Oscar rest for a while. We sometimes just lack the creativity in the final third. Oscar is not a playmaker and Mata is and the loss of those abilities he gave us has had a part to play in the games we have messed up.

I don't think that what Oscar needs is rest. He needs to find his feet and quickly.

[Ze Mario 638]

xavi and iniesta are considered the best AMs in the world yet barca still lost against lower table team. they had hard time too unlocking opponent's tight defense. and unlike us, they even have 2 fullback with amazing attacking ability, but still they lost against them.

nonsense about this bring mata back or regret about sold him on winter window.

[Tomo 21,751]

Villa, QPR, West Brom, West Ham, QPR, Newcastle, Stoke have all beaten us while Mata has played. This fantasy that we would have magically hammered Sunderland, Palace and Villa merely because of his presence is laughable.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Villa, QPR, West Brom, West Ham, QPR, Newcastle, Stoke have all beaten us while Mata has played. This fantasy that we would have magically hammered Sunderland, Palace and Villa merely because of his presence is laughable.

To be fair, Mata did not play as a number 10 in any of those games (IIRC).

[Sidzeret 2,257]

xavi and iniesta are considered the best AMs in the world yet barca still lost against lower table team. they had hard time too unlocking opponent's tight defense. and unlike us, they even have 2 fullback with amazing attacking ability, but still they lost against them.

nonsense about this bring mata back or regret about sold him on winter window.

Wasn't that their only defeat of the season ( Espanyol)? Also they have the better chance than any other team in breaking down parked buses because of their quick tempo to a passing and one touch passes. Our problem is holding onto the ball for too long before making passes give my the defenders some sort of advantage.

[Oscar 441]

@https://twitter.com/br_uk/status/457964137948004352/photo/1

That is exactly why I want another world-class AM, but no one seems to agree.

We sold a WC player and didn't bring in a proper replacement.

Exactly!

Mata is exactly what we need. Winning 5 league games in 2014.

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[1chelsea 864]

I don't think that what Oscar needs is rest. He needs to find his feet and quickly.

that said it all that am not the only one who think that Jose will buy some that can unlock team that park the bus like Mata and at same time can defend base on the fact that he promise next season and would do anything to archive it. Jose already have locked on to target players for next season

[Ze Mario 638]

Wasn't that their only defeat of the season ( Espanyol)? Also they have the better chance than any other team in breaking down parked buses because of their quick tempo to a passing and one touch passes. Our problem is holding onto the ball for too long before making passes give my the defenders some sort of advantage.

granada, valladoid, sociedad, and the strong team that defeated them are bilbao and valencia

are you refer to our counter attack pattern or how we unlock bus parking defense?

[Jase 43,479]

Villa, QPR, West Brom, West Ham, QPR, Newcastle, Stoke have all beaten us while Mata has played. This fantasy that we would have magically hammered Sunderland, Palace and Villa merely because of his presence is laughable.

True but don't think anyone is saying we would have magically won those games if Mata was around. It's just that he could have helped us made the difference by giving us something else offensively, much like how some have said that about Hazard. And I posted something about this point in another thread. Will just stick it here..

True but TBF, that wasn't the case when Mata was still around under Mourinho. Was given a role with responsibilites (especially defensively) but still able to create chances. It's just that comparing him with our other AMs, he can give us that X-factor and create something from nothing for others (apart from Hazard) in final third. Not talking just about playing those through balls, 1-2s with the others but also chances like ball over the top of the opposition's defence when they are parking the bus/defending in numbers in front of us (e.g. Ba's FA Cup goal against United, Torres' league goal against Swansea two seasons ago) and it's these kind of chances at times, this kind of ingenuity, that is missing from our play when the opposition are being stubborn against us.