30 May 2018 08:23:26
Should juan mata still be at the club next season?

Lacks goals, assists and any remote turn of pace to play right wing.

Could he be tried out as a central midfielder in similar way that coutinho and david silva were for their respective clubs or is he not good enough.


1.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 08:49:46
Depends on formations if we play 4-3-3 like most would want then he is too slow for the front 3. In theory he could play the cazorla role but I can't see Jose ever wanting to try that apart from at the death of a game. Realistically he either needs to be the 2nd striker but we have sanchez rashford and martial for that role or he needs to play at the top of a diamond but that formation would make is even narrower than now so to make a short point long it's probably best for all parties if he moved on. He is a bit like Ray Wilkins who will be fondly remembered by all clubs he played for and will be welcomed back either as opposition or as a future employee.


2.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 09:15:41
I love Juan mata. He is a model pro and seems a lovely guy. He is also a very talented footballer. However, we have failed to get the best out of him during his spell with us. He has only shown flashes of his brilliant form at Chelsea. I’ve always felt his best position is no 10 but for whatever reason he has never been played there, or when he has he hasn’t set the world alight.

I would love him to stay but with new signings I feel his playing time will be limited. At his age he will want to be playing week in week out. I do believe that when he does play and he is on form then we play our best football. He has a great footballing brain and would be majestic if he was playing for city. I like the idea of him playing the cazorla role as schnauzer mentions above. But cannot see Jose doing that.

One of the few players we have signed in recent years that has fully embraced the club, it’s traditions and ethos. He along with Herrera truly get what it means to play for united. He has immersed himself into Mancunian life and I will be pretty devastated to see him go. If he is happy to play a bit part role then I would not let him go. But sentiment aside, if we want to get back to the top we Can’t let our heart rule our head.

He will always be remembered fondly by united fans. He strikes me as a very intelligent and measured man and I expect him to be a very good manager. You never know we may see him in the hot seat at united in several years time.


3.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 10:01:32
Should have been sold 2-3 years ago. Has the occasional big impact, but he is a passenger and often a liability.

I like the guy (although his virtue signalling irritated me), but Big Mick at the local pub is a nice guy as well.


4.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 10:33:57
I wouldn't say he's been a passenger.

I love mata. never moans and you never hear a bad word about the guy.

Gives his all when he plays and is one of a very few players that can play it close and tidy.

Would be pissed if we sold him.


5.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 10:45:43
DSG v good question and great responses from schnauzer and park.

When my young daughter recently asked me who my favourite United players are I genuinely struggled, but then answered DDG, Herrera and Mata. The first because he's our only 'world class' player that actually performs like one, the latter two based on their attitude and application.

Unfortunately though, on the pitch for me Mata frustrates as much as he delights. At Chelsea I thought he was awesome and one of the very best in the league. But was it because he was the main man with the system set up for him? When we signed him somehow I was surprised at how small and slow he actually was - is that down to our style and system? Let's be honest, since he was signed have we even had a style and system? But either way, he isn't going to get better, quicker, stronger and the current system is not going to be set up for him.

So ultimately for me he is right player, wrong time, so with great regret he should move on.


6.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 12:16:20
I think Mata's stats when he's played on the whole have been pretty good, and often pops up with a goal or assist.

I think the problem is he's played out of position and the team isn't set up in such a way to get the best out of him.

I'd be happy for him to stay though he may decide he wants to play more regularly. He comes across as humble, intelligent and passionate though and is a good role model for some of the younger players.


7.) 30 May 2018
30 May 2018 16:41:31
I love Juan as I genuinely look like him. That is really the only reason I’d want him to stay now. Jose could try him in the David Silva role which might suit him, but he’s probably better going back to Spain or give Italy a whirl at this stage of his career.