If Manchester United can pull the Mata deal off all will be forgiven as far as David Moyes is concerned. Because he will be buying one of the best players in the world. No one at Chelsea doubts Mata’s quality – least of all the fans – it’s just that the player doesn’t fit into Jose Mourinho’s system.
A player of this quality should be starting every match but ‘The Special One’ can’t guarantee him minutes so a move is likely.
If Mata does join Manchester United the big question is where he will play in the team. Questions have been raised about whether he will fit comfortably into Manchester United system. But we think that he would be an absolutely perfect central midfielder to replace Paul Scholes in a 4-4-2.
The problem with this formation however is that Manchester United’s wingers are the poorest that they have had in many years. Antonio Valencia continues to be a hard-working and decent player. But his final ball has got worse over the last few years. He will remain a good squad player but isn’t stealing any headlines right now. As for Young and Nani they have both proven to be particularly bad signings.
Januzaj has been a revelation for Manchester United and he may continue in a wide role but we think he will end up paying more centrally as his importance to the teams grows.
So the question of where Juan plays for United depends on the formation David Moyes chooses. If he sticks with his current wingers or, even better, adds one or two more then we would put Mata in the centre of midfield alongside Carrick.
If Moyes opts for a 4-2-3-1 then Mata will start on the left of the 3 but interchange with the sublime talents of Rooney and Januzaj. Either way you have a far better looking line up with the Spaniard in the team.
The only victim would be Shinji Kagawa who, we believe, deserves a place. But top teams require top squads and injuries regularly stop managers from picking their strongest 11.
Manchester United 4-4-2
Defence – De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Shaw
Midfield – Valencia, Carrick, Mata, Januzaj
Attack – Rooney, RvP
Manchester United 4-2-3-1
Defence: De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Shaw
Defensive Midfield: Carrick, Jones
Attacking Midfield: Januzaj, Rooney, Mata
Attack: RvP
Manchester United fans, let’s have your thoughts.
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time
Jan 22, 2014 at 6:14 pm
lucas moura, shaw, barkley, cavanni, hummels,
Davey
Jan 22, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Both your ‘lineups’ include Shaw!! He is not a United player, we haven’t even made a bid for him so stop playing fantasy manager. If Shaw moves on from Southampton he will end up at Chelsea, the club he has supported since he was a boy.
Prosper itam
Jan 23, 2014 at 7:11 am
I want united to buy mata