07 Feb 2017 20:12:00
Evening guys,

Just wanted to gauge opinion on Juan Mata. I saw interesting stats last week on sky, whereby since 2012 I think it was, Mata had more assists and goals per appearances than all the other big attackers, Silva, Couthino, Ozil, Hazard etc etc. Now, we all know Mata is not blessed with pace, it's the one flaw to his game, but let's be realistic, is he was also quick aswell as being technically brilliant, he'd probably be at Barcelona now.

As a footballer I really rate Mata. I think he's got such a good football brain the lack of pace doesn't hinder him like it would most others. He doesn't need two or three touches on the ball, zips it about, seems to know where the next pass is before receiving the ball, find pockets of space well, his touch is brilliant, rarely loses the ball, and can find the killer final pass, aswell as being a good finisher. I know some people on here think he's too slow and not suited to our game. But I think the lads a top class player, and even if not a constant first 11 selection, he's a great option off the bench, or during rotation through the different competitions.

Off the field, he's the model professional. Never complains at being on the bench, or throws the toys out the pram, keeps out of the papers and a low profile, does a lot for disadvantaged kids in the area, interacts with the fans the best he can, for instance the blog he writes once a week. I've actually seen comments where he's said he thinks they are paid too much. Makes a change from most who are willing to flock to china for a huge payday.

I think Mata, along with Herrera have another 18 months on their contracts with us, and I think both should be given new deals. 2 of my favourite current players for us.

1.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 20:53:24
Completely agree, good post! They both buy into the tradition and ways of the club like they're local lads. They are both a credit to themselves and the club. Wish all the players showed as much passion and commitment to the cause. Get them tied down to new deals, United needs players like these lads.

2.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 21:22:04
Mata is a class act and if Pogba starts to really play as well as he can and we play at a quicker tempo then Mata will get more space and be even more effective.

3.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 21:32:56
Mata is a class footballer, he has everything in terms of technique and ability, not being blessed with pace is an issue that gets brought up by pundits, reason being he's played out of position on the wing and they deem pace as a necessity. Still although he's not fast his brain is and he's happy to run in behind defenders aswel, I absolutely love the guy but long term I'm not sure he's going to be around, the way to get the best out of him is to build the side around him and have pace alongside him making runs and creating space for him to work in. Having pogba in the squad and mikitryan means he's never going to get that. One thing for sure is he would be an asset to any squad in Europe.

4.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 22:15:22
When we knew Jose was taking over i said on here that i'd love him to stay but i can't see it happening and i think the is best suited to italian football, slowenpace and technical.

He has been sensational for us since Jose took over and been one of my top 3 performers for us since joining.

Fair play to Jose, everybody thought he would sell Mata but it shows a side of Jose that we all seem to overlook and that's his ability to recognise what's best for UTD and not gaining grudge points or dropping people due to a fall out.

For me, Mata neess to stay because he is a game changer! Purely and simply he can absolutely turn a game on its head in our favour.

5.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 22:23:54
Totally agree. Mata is quality and seems like a fantastic person and influence to have at the club. A team like United needs a large squad and Mata is good enough to be a starter but at very least should be a heavily used squad player. When he, Miki, and Herrera are in the team the ball circulates so much faster.

6.) 07 Feb 2017
07 Feb 2017 23:03:00
Yes Ruud, he isn't the best to start against certain teams and/ or formations BUT he needs to be at UTD as he is crucial to what we have going forward, organisation and general putting the frighteners in opposition.

7.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 10:01:45
Reminds me of Sheringham, Larsson. You need good football brains on the pitch.

8.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 10:11:46
I agree he hasn't got pace but is technically gifted. I don't think his lack of pace is his only flaw though, personally it is very frustrating how easily he gets shrugged off the ball or even bullied. Other than that, he deserves to stay at utd as he adds a great technical dimension to the team.

9.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 11:31:03
I like the man, but not so keen on the player. He may have great stats but his overall contribution is poor, he is anonymous most games. Yes he may come up with a goal or a moment of magic now and again, but there is much much more to the game than that. He is not a handful for opponents, he hampers the full back attacking at pace because he can't cover quick enough, we often look to be playing with a man less when he plays imo. He isn't an out ball and he is over powered a lot. He also has a horrible LVG habit of playing it backwards when a slightly risky forward pass is on, too cautious at the minute.

Give me Hazard, Sanchez, De Bruyne, Alli, Silva, even Coutinho or Sterling any day of the week over Mata and that's just our league.

Great guy but a squad player at best if we expect to be competing at the top, he just doesn't bring enough often enough.

I appreciate this is a Man Utd supporters site, but it's players like Mata that have allowed this slow decline to continue, because they just aren't world class in key positions. He wouldn't get anywhere near the starting 11 of an elite rival club I'm afraid - anyone saying differently needs to take their blinkers off imo.

10.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 11:36:37
Beast, you can't have a squad of world class players. That's the point. He doesn't start most games, but as a player who doesn't kick off about being on the bench, he's a brilliant squad player. Any of the top premier league teams don't have better option off the bench that Mata.

11.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 12:12:39
So he leads goals and assists stats but wouldn't get in any rivals teams. Brilliant.

12.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 12:15:29
Stand - £37m and £150k a week for a squad player is a lot of dosh but I suppose for us it isn't, but I agree he is a squad player at best, sorry I just wanted to outline the negative aspects of his play (because it's what I do best) . hah

I wish all of our players had the personality of Mata and the intelligence - amazing what he has done with his limited physical attributes.

13.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 12:23:54
Dodgy - who would he start for?

14.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 12:36:12
I can't believe I am saying this, but I am in total agreement with the Beast here. He was a luxury buy and remains so. He is a perfect fit for a lot of teams but all those teams are not in the premier league. He is a bit too casual for me sometimes and gets bumped off the ball way to easy. His technical aspect is second to none by the way but that's just not enough in the league. He should remain as a squad player though and not to mention that he may still be a handful in Europe.

15.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 13:24:07
Beast he was a starter and player of year for Chelsea for nearly 3 seasons and would get in ahead of Willian or Pedro imo. He is better than Ericsson or son at spurs he is better than Lallana at Liverpool he is better than Ramsey or iwobi at arsenal. just my opinion. His stats are better than any of theirs and so he is overall contribution. I would not take any of the above mentioned players over mata. He is versatile and produces at key moments quite often. Does more than martial or Rashford in many ways and is very consistent. Top class pro top class man.

16.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 13:34:58
Matas stats are very good only rooney has more goals and assist during the time mata has been at united .
Does that change peoples views ;)

17.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 14:07:53
I can only assume you haven't watched a lot of Iwobi Ken as he has it all imo from what I have seen. Ramsey is also far more needed than Mata in our team, but he has dipped recently to be fair. Mata and Ericcson are very similar I'll give you that one.

I think Willian and Pedro are better and Chelsea sold him precisely because he doesn't have that X factor. A team needs to be built around him to be really effective and he isn't good enough for that to happen. Just like Rooney (for you Jred), haha.

Mata is not consistent, unless consistency is meant plays well one game vanishes for the next 4. Agree about Rashford and Martial - you could maybe throw Lingard into that as well. But they should get better and also wouldn't be starters for most elite teams, Mata has reached optimum ability now. An on form Martial and Rashford is far more threatening than an in form Mata.

But everyone see's things slightly differently of course. Mata wouldn't play for my team because I'm all about pace, power and speed of interchange. Mata is the opposite player to what I want from attackers, especially in England.

18.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 14:43:47
Everyone seems to mention him being player of the year for Chelsea but conveniently forget that Chelsea finished 6th one season and may be 15 points of the winner in the other two seasons.

19.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 15:07:01
Hazard was player of the year for Chelsea and Willian was when they finished well down the table last season so I guess no one would want those two?

20.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 15:21:58
"Mata had more assists and goals per appearances than all the other big attackers, Silva, Couthino, Ozil, Hazard"

Of all the players mentioned there only 2 of them have won the league. He only has more than Hazard because he downed tools last season and more than Silva because his standards seem to have slipped slightly since helping City win it.

In modern football virtually everyone needs to do more going back the other way defensively and for me he is poor on that front.

Too slow for me and gets knocked off it too easily although he does make clever runs in behind and has a good first touch.

Like many have said though if he's happy to stay and not start every game then there is no top club with a player of his quality on the bench so maybe he will stay as a squad player.

21.) 08 Feb 2017
08 Feb 2017 19:28:35
Bang on there ken!

For me, Mata over all of the players mentioned above! I appreciate your insight beast but i just can't c what u c in Mata.

I would be very surprised if Jose let's him go anytime soon, IMO i can c him staying for a couple of years and then moving abroad.

22.) 09 Feb 2017
09 Feb 2017 00:18:19
I wonder what you thought of oshea, butt, Sheringham, blomqvist and the list goes on and on.

Mata is a fantastic squad player, there are not many other teams that can boast a player like him, one who can come of the bench and in an instant change a game.

Man United teams of the past had some fantastic starting 11s but we would not have won what we did without the squad players.

I really hope mata stays. He has been a wonderful player for us. I never understand the criticism that he receives.

23.) 09 Feb 2017
09 Feb 2017 10:53:43
Good morning everybody,

I might as well throw my two-penneth in for what it's worth.

I think there is no doubt that Mata is an excellent squad player and superb professional.

Unfortunately I think he lacks the pace and strength to make himself a truly indispensable member of our first 11.

I think Miki is actually a more effective No 10 and right midfielder but that's just my opinion.

In summary Mata is a fantastic option and if we can get back into the Champ's League there should be more than enough games to keep everybody happy.

24.) 09 Feb 2017
09 Feb 2017 15:50:35
Mata is always in and around the goals, he scores and has a decent finish at that . He sees a pass and is good at unlocking tight defences and always looks to create something in the final third.
He's lacking a best position for sure but personally I always like seeing him in the team. Class act.

{Ed025's Note - mata is a bit of an enigma for me LSMA, i think he definitely has the quality but does no produce it often enough, he tends to drift in and out of games and can be the best and worst player on the park in the same match!, i dont think he should start every game but i do see him as a match winner coming off the bench mate..