When he first signed for us I was so excited as when he was at Chelsea he was one of the Premier League players I most feared playing against us. He tormented us quite a few times and I always got nervous when he got the ball against us. There was a time not so long ago when he was in the top 3/4 attackers in the league.
Since signing for us he hadn't quite hit those heights. Although his stats have remained good I'v never found him to be quite as convincing on the ball as his first two seasons at Chelsea. Maybe it was because he was lacking confidence after being mistreated by Jose and being misused by Moyes but I really hope Sunday well and truly kick starts his United career.
I think LVG may have stumbled upon a position where we may be able to get the best out of Mata. I was of the view like many that he could only be used centrally but I think his new position makes sense.No he is not wide man but he is now playing as an inside forward in a 4-3-3 rather than wide right in a 4-4-2 with pedestrian players around him under Moyes. This position allows him to roam and get in the box without worrying about leaving too much space behind him.
If Di Maria can sort himself out a front 3 of Mata, Rooney, Di Maria has a bit of everything. Behind this a midfield of Blind/Carrick, Herrera (works well with Mata and should have a big future here in my opinion) and possibly a new signing (in the mould of a Pogba/Verratti) could see us play some brilliant football next season. Nothing against Fellaini who I also think has a big role to play in the squad but possibly not quite a good enough footballer if we want to get back to being a European force.
Anyway for the first time in a while things are looking really positive. Maybe there was something to #Philosophy afterall
Juan Mata
posted on 25/3/15
As well as Fellaini has played recently, I think by the beginning of next season Fellaini should be on the bench and Mata played through the middle.
Mata has played well on the right hand side, brilliantly even, but he is absolutely world class behind the striker.
We should be a midfielder in the mould of Pogba if not Pogba him self to give our centre more physicality. A lot has been made about his price but I don't care how much he costs, we need him.
If United are to be a European force again United need world class players in at least 7 of the 11 positions in my opinion.
Fellaini isn't world class but is a valuable squad member now.
So next season Mata and Rooney partnering each other with proper wide men accompanying them.
Physical yet technically gifted midfielders behind.
posted on 25/3/15
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 5 minutes ago
Thats why Mata won the CL FA cup Europa league with Chelsea..
So did Gary Cahill
posted on 25/3/15
Mata is a top top player. Funnily enough LVG is getting better out of the players Moyes got in
posted on 25/3/15
A top player indeed...Can not argue with his stats
https://metrouk2.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/mata.jpg
posted on 25/3/15
A top player that has been benchwarming last 2 seasons? Mata is a top mug
posted on 25/3/15
LVG is playing mata where Moyes played him last season with him cutting in from the right while young was on the left stretching play for mata to come inside on the other side.
Kagawa was playing where Fellaini is now.
posted on 26/3/15
He's so cuddly
posted on 26/3/15
comment by Robb - The man MuDD wishes he could be. (U20351)
posted 9 hours, 14 minutes ago
LVG is playing mata where Moyes played him last season with him cutting in from the right while young was on the left stretching play for mata to come inside on the other side.
Kagawa was playing where Fellaini is now.
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However Moyes was unable to make it work.
posted on 26/3/15
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 48 minutes ago
comment by Robb - The man MuDD wishes he could be. (U20351)
posted 9 hours, 14 minutes ago
LVG is playing mata where Moyes played him last season with him cutting in from the right while young was on the left stretching play for mata to come inside on the other side.
Kagawa was playing where Fellaini is now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
However Moyes was unable to make it work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
in fairness Moyes did have it working... but our season was over before he played that line-up due to injuries.
Then the Everton away game finished him the week after the Newcastle game.
If he'd played that formation earlier who knows
posted on 26/3/15
I have always MENT that Mata should play wide, as a false winger. Have to say he really have proven me right the last couple of matches.
He's not the quickest, and therefore need space to counter in. Some of the angles that are created in a 4-3-3 wide formation I really fancy and believe this also is the future with LvG.
Few things to say about that. If Mata is playing wide we should either use Fellaini in the hole as we have done, or skip the no 10 position, and do 3 more central midfielders, maybe 2 central and one DM like Chelsea usually did with him. Fellaini haven't really operated as a no 10 other than a targetman, he have left Mata to do the more, lets call it the "ball controlling" game as a no10.
As we all know Mata haven't used to do much defensively for the team. Having a long spell without playing and understanding that it's either him or Di Maria at the right I think he gets it. I have to work for the team, and he has been good so far.
You can see some of the same with other players, who has really had a new spring under LvG. Young & Smalling are two others, been alot better than we every saw under Moysey. I am surprised they have had it in them to return to a good spell.
Still those two are representing positions that are being questioned, and looked to strengthen in the summer window. As Mata and Di Maria operate on the RW, Di Maria optional to operate on both sides we still look a bit short of the type of players who can do the little extra and also have a good team performance. Mata on RW and Di Maria on LW simply doesn't seem to bring the right balance.
We're also being linked with way to many "offensive minded" players, those who at current teams are being ripped from defensive responsibility and therefore looks sharper than they would under a philosophy where everyone has to work for the team. De Brouyne is one of those. Even though I'm not saying he would be a failure, but on paper sure looks like it.
Experts say all the time that we need some type of player who has that kind of attributes, but again and again fail to mention anybody by name. They simply isn't growing on threes.