The impression on the pitch his right leg makes. Wow.
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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Was clean shaved today. 
Mata definitely likes to roam free. Tbh Rooney RVP and Mata are all smart enough to interchange. To make this all work really well you need a right fullback who will get up and overlap to exploit all the space.
I saw he tried to do it again today, but one of the Palace players was fighting for the ball alongside him so he couldn't pull it off. It seems so natural for him to pull that off, and beautiful to see when accomplished.
Yea, it is a decision only a tactical apt manager would make and some might go mental with that suggestion
. Rooney in a false wide role would still have some kind of influence to the game. It would be similiar to the Suarez and Sturidge partnership, where he would be utilize as a striking partner to van Persie. The left wide role would be open for the maurauding fullback like how Moyes utilize Baines as almost a winger for Everton.Really was.
Second half it seemed like the shackles were off, this is how we accommodate him and Rooney in the same side moving forward
I'm not a fan of him playing from the right. He doesn't spend much time on the touchline leaving whoever the full back there as the outlet ball on the right. Against Fulham and again today with Smalling this means the full back is isolated and inevitably ends up aimlessly crossing the ball with no real chance of working a decent position. We saw with the penalty how useful it is for the winger and full back to link up and create some space down the channels.
He was fantastic today. Was all over the pitch, always where we needed him.
That was the sort of so-so performance that Kagawa would've got major abuse for.
He had over 100 touches of the ball today which I suspect is something we've never been able to say about Kagawa - the most he's had is 80 this season. Mata was running things towards the end.
Excellent today, only thing mssing from his game is being more direct in the final third but in terms of running the game, very influential today alongside Rooney.
Fair point he was more involved, most of it was collecting the ball from Carrick and Fellaini, laying it back, so on and so forth. Also helps with your number of touches when you're not subbed off after 60 minutes.
If Kagawa played more like that, I'd reckon he get more starts.
Mata also created one good chance for RVP and also set up Fellaini for a decent long range shot so on top of being more involved and helping us build attacks he was also creating things.
He's capable of far more but Mata has looked like creating something in all of his starts so far. Even against Arsenal which I would have down as his least effective showing he created a good chance for RVP.
I'm delighted we have got him. Once he is fully settled I can't see him being anything other than a massive success for United and by that I mean in the same leagues as RVP and Rooney, something I don't think Kagawa will ever manage.
It works both ways. If you were playing well - and as a consequence having more touches - you wouldn't often be subbed off.
What a player. He was brilliant in helping us get out of tricky situations defensively, especially in the second half. There were a few times where he picked up the ball on the edge of our box and did a nice bit of skill/ found the right pass to get out of trouble and build an attack. He's going to be top class for us in the future if this is him not yet settled into the team.
Thought he grew in to the game well, when we got people making runs for him and playing one two's you could see the quality he had. We need to work on the attack as others have pointed out today. There were far too many occasions where he would drop off and everybody ahead of him wanted a pass to feet, we needed people making runs of the ball and making quicker interchanges. You could see flashes of it though and the few times it happened we played some good stuff. Likewise though although its good for him to drop and pick up the ball deeper, we need him getting in to positions where he can run on to a pass.
Again he did his job defensively and you'd imagine in other games where Fellaini properly sits next to carrick we'd look more solid. Really can't see any reason we can't play with him and januzaj on a consistent basis.
Again he did his job defensively and you'd imagine in other games where Fellaini properly sits next to carrick we'd look more solid. Really can't see any reason we can't play with him and januzaj on a consistent basis.
I think Kagawa would have put a much better performance in today if he had played. He's not as assured as Mata is though on the ball. Whenever Juan is in possession i just believe he's going to keep it - his lay offs, touches, intricate passes etc always seem to be weighted perfectly. Kagawa has an immense touch himself and is good in tight spaces, but at times he does lapse in concentration almost and takes an unnecessarily heavy touch or whatever. I am actually looking forward to seeing if Shinji gets a chance in this system though as he's much more likely to give us performances we expect from a player of his quality.
Good game from him. I believe we will get better once he gels with the rest of the team. Those little shimmies and layoff are excellent. We just need a goal from him soon.
Regarding his defensive work, the stats would suggest otherwise.
Solid performance tonight. Makes us so calm and composed in possession.
Thought he was very good. Not great but is settling nicely in my opinion.
Much better than Mata or much better than he has done for United?
Nice pic from his Twitter:
Not a fan of Januzaj's new haircut.
There were still too many pointless touches which culminated in him playing the ball backwards for me, but there was also plenty of good stuff yesterday. Especially in the second half. He actually started to look like exactly what the team had been missing, and some of the link up/interchange with Rooney was very good.
It helped having someone on the opposite wing who wasn't predictable and toothless aswell. Though no doubt Young or Valencia will walk back into the team next weekend.
It helped having someone on the opposite wing who wasn't predictable and toothless aswell. Though no doubt Young or Valencia will walk back into the team next weekend.
I thought he grew better as the game went on.
There was that particular passage of play between him and Rooney that culminated in a good shooting opportunity for Fellaini, that was really excellent and something I'd love to see more of.
Incidentally it looks like Rooney and Mata is building a very good understanding.
There was that particular passage of play between him and Rooney that culminated in a good shooting opportunity for Fellaini, that was really excellent and something I'd love to see more of.
Incidentally it looks like Rooney and Mata is building a very good understanding.
no doubt he is much better playing in a central role but it is going to be tough when everyone is available. obviously you would want van persie, rooney and mata all to be in your side together. the good thing is that even if his starting position is on the right wing he kept coming inside to get involved which is a good thing. and agree about that understanding with rooney. seems to be developing nicely. now just want to get van persie involved more with the build ups as well.
Has done for United.
I trust my eyes.
But 0 tackles and 0 interceptions according to whoscored. He's fairly willing he's just not very good, that's all.
Mata's latest blog: http://blogs.grada360.com/juanmata/en/2014/02/24/una-victoria-para-comenzar-una-racha-positiva/
I fecking love him
I fecking love him
He's more articulate in his second tongue than most of the English players. He really does come across as such a great guy.
Now let's get him on the Caf.
I love how he ends his posts with 'hugs'. So adorable.
His blog is great. Gutted he can't play CL for us, and won't next year either. Hope he gets his first goal soon
As if he's writing to his love while he's fighting in the WW2. So loving.
His kindness is too much.
His kindness is too much.
I do too.
Excellent piece by him.
Such an incredibly humble and cool guy.
Such an incredibly humble and cool guy.
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