Simon Stone...
Juan Mata is at the centre of interest from a number of clubs in England and overseas amid continuing uncertainty over his Manchester United future.
The midfielder's representatives have been negotiating with United about an extension to his current deal, which expires in the summer.
It is thought the Spaniard, 30, would prefer to stay at Old Trafford but so far there has been no agreement.
If no deal is reached, Mata will be available for free in the summer.
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Just wanted to gauge opinion on whether people think he should be given a new contract or be allowed to leave for nothing in the summer.
Personally I am torn because he comes across as a very likeable guy, good around the dressing room and can pop up with a goal from a FK. However, I just don't think he offers that much in open play due to his severe lack of pace and energy to get around the pitch.
At the moment I'm leaning towards letting him go, regrettably. On the premise that we sign a replacement right sided forward.
Juan Mata
posted on 29/1/19
Does anybody think Ángel Gomes will take as long as Lingard to mature considering his size.
I think he may need to be follow in Lingards foot steps and go out on loan first? Maybe keep Mata for a season and send Gomes out to a team like Wolves who knock it about on the floor.
posted on 29/1/19
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 12 minutes ago
Don't see the need to keep Valencia if we have Young and Dalot as options on the right, there's also TFM and Tuanzebe as options there if we need it. It's our left side where we are a bit weaker with just Shaw and Young.
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An up and coming left back wouldn’t be a bad signing.
posted on 29/1/19
Even if Mata went and with some talented youth coming through on the right I'd still be willing to look into the market for a top quality RW if there is one available, not sure who?
CB, DM, RW and RB are probably the areas we still need to look at for top quality reinforcements over the summer, but only if they are really good enough, or have the potential to be good enough and fit into our system. Unless the manager (Ole or whoever) really does believe that the youth we have are good enough for next season.
posted on 29/1/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 33 minutes ago
That's when you more technical, intelligent players really come into play.
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That could be Angel Gomes.
I know he's still on the very small side but as far as intelligence, technical ability, vision and creativity goes, we don't have many players better. Like Mata he's also a cool finisher when he gets in the box but crucially he possesses a niftiness that Mata doesn't have.
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TRS (and anyone else who has seen much more of him than me), do you get the impression he is *that* good that he can step up and impose his talent in the intensity of senior football, already at this age and size?
posted on 29/1/19
If he were happy to stay for another year, or even two, understanding that his would be a limited role (as it is already, to be fair), I'd prefer him to stay as much as anything because of what he could teach and how he could help the likes of Gomes, Chong, Gribbin and Barlow.
He's a serious asset on the training ground and in the dressing room, he's a superb role model, and his experience has great value - the lad has won just about everything there is to win at club and international level. I think we all know the value of surrounding young players with proven winners.
He never lets us down with his attitude, and although he might not always pull up trees, he rarely lets us down on the pitch.
He's a great ambassador for the club, and one of those players, like Carrick, that you want to see staying/back at United once his playing days are done.
posted on 29/1/19
RR
It's hard to say for certain because there's only one way of really knowing and that's by playing him but he's now at a stage where he needs tested at a higher level than the U23 league.
His size is a concern but I think because he's got so much talent and such a sharp footballing mind, it hopefully won't hold him back so much.
posted on 29/1/19
He should leave on a bosman with the aim of securing a contract at Valencia to see out the remainder of his career at his boyhood club.
posted on 29/1/19
They're not his boyhood club though. He grew up in the north and started with Real's acadamy. I can see him going to another country before he heads back to Spain.
posted on 29/1/19
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
RR
It's hard to say for certain because there's only one way of really knowing and that's by playing him but he's now at a stage where he needs tested at a higher level than the U23 league.
His size is a concern but I think because he's got so much talent and such a sharp footballing mind, it hopefully won't hold him back so much.
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I'd like to see both him and Chong getting starts next season if they aren't going out on loan, TRS.
And further to your comments on the use of loan spells, those are two players that I think we probably could keep at OT around the squad and first team coaches.
posted on 30/1/19
Mata is/was the best player at the club - and by best it is meant that they made the most valuable contribution on the pitch. Particularly so after Rooney left.
Not used enough by any of the coaches he played under - which short changed the fans of quality football no end.
The extra quality introduced by the signings of Pogba, Fred and Sanchez (necessary when garbage like herrera and lingard got so much undeserved selections) and the age factor, has reduced the need for Mata. But it is a shame United didn't make the most of his presence.
Genuinely gave me more joy to watch, and more examples of coaching vids to use, than any other united player of the past 5 seasons or so. United need more like him and a lot less of the clueless charlatans currently masquerading as first teamers.