Kagawa-esque and I'm all for it.
Juan Mata | 2013/14 Performances
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
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He's so dreamy.
I'm afraid we're never going to play in that combination. Either Januzaj or Mata will have to give up their place to one of Young/Valencia.
For one, I think that it was a good debut, but I don't buy all of this 'wrong players around him', 'no movement' nonsense. Top class player stand out in any situation and Mata is a top class player. I don't see the point in all of these excuses that aren't even needed. Unlike Kagawa, Mata will be running the show for us before soon.
missed the match...dammit!
He looks more purposeful and direct than Kagawa. He's not so quick to release the ball backwards when under pressure - just that bit more confident to turn into defenders and keep the ball for a couple extra seconds, time which he uses to look for a more attacking option.
I think we'll get even more from him without Jones and Valencia cramping his style.
I think we'll get even more from him without Jones and Valencia cramping his style.
It's not an excuse though. If you come from a team like Dortmund with players making the right runs all the time it's hard to adjust. We play a very different setup to Chelsea as well so that migh be a big step for Mata as well.
His style was definitely being cramped by his teammates, I doubt he usually puts in that many crosses from deep.
Still, I thought he looked pretty good.
Still, I thought he looked pretty good.
He's already light years ahead of anyone else in every aspect of football apart from RVP.
?
That is Moyes's tactics. Moyes loves crosses from deep. Have you not been paying attention?
I thought he looked nervous, as you'd expect. Kept trying the "Hollywood" pass. But that being said, he had two great chances and one assist, so it's not too bad all in all.
A tad rusty but it was expected.
Still pulled out some magical balls. A sign of things to come
Still pulled out some magical balls. A sign of things to come
He really does just need some movement around him to get the best out of him. Today's set of players were never going to provide it.
He was a tad nervous I reckon. Outstanding reception though, brilliant.
Ok, fair enough. But I never said it wasn't a good debut, and I never mentioned 'no movement'.
What I meant by 'wrong players' was Young and Valencia really. I just felt that the game they played didn't compliment Mata at all.
I missed the first 65-70 minutes. How did Mata look overall(besides stunningly handsome)? I reckon it was a shock for him to be supported by that midfield four?
He looked genuinely happy to be playing for us. We gave him a great reception when he came out for the pre match warm up and before kick off.
Hes going to be a great signing for us I can feel it.
He was tidy. Our team played their normal slow, shit football until it got past the half way mark, and whenever Mata got on the ball he always made a smart pass, either going long or short, put in a few great balls into the box that should have led to an assist for Young and had a good set piece that Evans had a decent header from. Started off the move for the first goal with a great long ball out to Evra, and then got the assist for Young's goal. He wasn't involved as much as we'd all like obviously as it was just the first game and generally a pretty flat performance, but we looked good going forward and he got into good positions constantly. Great off the ball movement.
What was telling of his class IMO was that even in generally a pretty quiet performance, he still could have had a goal on another day as well as another assist or 2 on another day. He's got that quality in him that always guarantee's chances.
Thanks for the summary!
So he created two chances, played a part in the first goal and assisted the second, all while moving around well and keeping things tidy? That's a pretty good start, imo. Can't ask for much more with that midfield. He also hasn't played a game for nearly a month.
Mata
How was he in the air? Did he get any flick-ons?
Yeah pretty much. He was pretty quiet but had a lot of those little subtle passes that keep play going on, but most other players wouldn't have the deftness to play those passes or would just pick the wrong option. There was a bit of rustiness between the understanding of him and the others, as you'd expect with only like 1 day of training, but you can tell he'll be amazing here.Thanks for the summary!
So he created two chances, played a part in the first goal and assisted the second, all while moving around well and keeping things tidy? That's a pretty good start, imo. Can't ask for much more with that midfield. He also hasn't played a game for nearly a month.
Mata
Had a lovely headed forward pass into the path of Valencia.
Wow he's cool. Amazing how he's fits in so quickly.
Oh yes, I know.
But surely, surely that won't be Mata's roll in the team going forward...
Good post
So fecking refreshing to have someone who... get this... actually "wants" and "demands" the ball... what a concept.
I keep drifting off and thinking quietly to myself "Juan fecking Mata." It's just like I felt when we signed van Persie and it feels oh so good!
So, I think we can all accept he's the best player in the league after that.
He grew into the game and his short passing and movement was excellent.Good range too.I want to see him with both RvP,Rooney and Adnan also, but those four need a quality midfield two behind them and right now we can't offer them that.Maybe Fellaini will have an impact? Can Carrick regain some form? We should certainly be looking one or two in the summer because there are question marks over those two right now and at best they are not the most mobile of players.
Back to Mata, he looks a real gem and from where I am sat it's hard to tell how close he was to scoring but he'll score goals for United for sure.He'll improve as the team evolves when new players are added.
Back to Mata, he looks a real gem and from where I am sat it's hard to tell how close he was to scoring but he'll score goals for United for sure.He'll improve as the team evolves when new players are added.
So, didn't score and no assists?
Flop.
Flop.
He got an assist for Ashley Young's goal.
Ok, only 1 assist and no goals?
FLop.
FLop.
And it was his long pass that opened the gate for the first goal.
Good sir, that level of wumery doesn't show us how great a poster you can be.
According to whoscored, Rooney has our highest average key passes per game with 2.4, next after him is Nani with 1.4 key passes a game (Januzaj has 1.1 and Kagawa has 0.8 apparently). Mata had 4 today alone, in what was a pretty quiet game. Can't wait for him to get used to get integrated more and when he gets to top form. We've lacked that creativity and class in the final third, or even the oppositions half, the little bit of deftness required to unlock defenses. He'll bring that in bucket loads I think.
This situation was just like last year ala RvP and arsenal. Don't worry chum, Mata will be assisting many more this season, and many more to come, thank you for your concern He'll certainly offer far more subtlety and ingenuity in the final third compared to what we currently have. It's just a worry if we have the platform in midfield to let him flourish further up the pitch and be at his most effective, instead of dropping deep all time.
That's what you want to see from him, intricate passing and probing around the final third and combining well with our technical players.
That's what you want to see from him, intricate passing and probing around the final third and combining well with our technical players.
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