Juan Mata

[Tomo 21,733]

That's what he did at Chelsea.

Somehow everyone thought he was a dictator/number 10. Probably because he's small and Spanish, I guess.

He was always a second striker. He played best under Di Matteo who allowed his 'amigos' the freedom to not defend. It was a team that had poor shape in the league, and moved the the ball forward really quickly from front to back.

This minimised the physical side of the game. Most of his good work came as Chelsea broke. He'd receive it in his half, spin, pass it wide, sprint forward and score from a cut back. It was 4 on 4 counter attacking. Lots of space to run/pass into.

You put Mata in a part of the pitch where he's closely marked, and needs to hold the ball - and you'll get the Mata we see today.

I remember having a huge argument that Mata was a striker, moreso than a midfielder, but than again this board kept saying the latter. United fans are seeing what I already knew from mata in his younger days at madrid.

I think every one deep down were aware of his flaws but because of how reliant we were on him no one wanted to admit it, especially in his first season.

If we admitted our best player had massive flaws that would mean he would struggle to get in the best teams, that would mean having to admit just what a mess we were in.

The meltdown and anti Jose comments on here when he left are getting even more funnier with every passing week.

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Mourinho looking like the smartest man in England right now.

[Myself 793]

haha remember when people said Mourinho out Mata in or something like that?

[Term-X 7,891]

haha remember when people said Mourinho out Mata in or something like that?

Nah, nobody was saying that, not explicitly. The actual words 'Jose out' have never been typed on this forum, not by a fully fledged member anyway.

[Myself 793]

Nah, nobody was saying that, not explicitly. The actual words 'Jose out' have never been typed on this forum, not by a fully fledged member anyway.

Guess it was just the retards on bleacherreport

[Victor Von Doom 258]

Mourinho looking like the smartest man in England right now.

Jose is the smartest man in England.

[5354 204]

Whats the difference between a SS and a playmaker?

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Come home, Mata..... to Spain

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

http://livelifeunited.com/misunderstood-juan-mata/

Nice analysis, but also the thing is MU was shit even before he joined them. I don't think Mata is their core problem. If they sold Mata, I think they will still struggle. They need to buy new players, CB and MC to solve their main problem.

[Special Juan 27,424]

Reminds me of a dog chasing it's tail watching him play for United.

[DH1988 1,273]

Not wrong, he looks so out of place and there doesn't seem to be much organisation with the formation/tactics which surprises me

[Fulham Broadway 16,832]

Poor Juan, the Chevrolet Raiders dont like him

http://www.redcafe.net/threads/juan-mata-2014-2015-performances.394002/page-45

[Jase 43,479]

Not wrong, he looks so out of place and there doesn't seem to be much organisation with the formation/tactics which surprises me

You know something is wrong when Mata is asked to operate like a CM in Louis 'genius' van Gaal's system...

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Wow at all the disappointment in redcafe. Nobody defend him.

[Nike 373]

Not wrong, he looks so out of place and there doesn't seem to be much organisation with the formation/tactics which surprises me

He's not good enough.

Come Sunday, rambo, willian, oscar, cesc, matic will all eat him alive and he will be the first one benched..

[DH1988 1,273]

Not sure he will play if I'm honest, LVG knows that our whole team knows he hates to be pressured and can be bullied easily. Our midfield has REALLY stepped up its niggling fouls/bully tactics/power play recently.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

I understand now why Mata didn't play if Rooney or Herrera available.

[Jase 43,479]

Mata in his latest blog..

http://juanmata8.com/blog/en/it-was-a-special-game/

It’s worth mentioning the Chelsea fans in Old Trafford; their affection comforts me and, as I have said so many times, I will always feel grateful to them and to the club. I feel there is mutual respect and this is very important for me in all aspects of life.