We can’t understand this idea about Juan Mata not fitting into the Manchester United team, if he joins the club.
Gary Neville was the main protagonist in the argument when asked what he thought of the potential Manchester United signing. He said:
‘The first question, I think, is where are you going to play? Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are up top if they are fit so where are you going to play him? Are you going to play him off the left or off the right?
‘Maybe they have to change the philosophy and maybe that’s what David Moyes is thinking. Maybe he wants to play narrow wide players and maybe a three in midfield.
Yes, Mata could play as number 10 or wide of a narrow 3 in a 4-2-3-1. But to suggest that Manchester United would have to change their style completely, in order to accommodate him, hugely undervalues the quality of the player.
Who says he can’t play in central midfield next to Micheal Carrick? He has all the attributes to be a sensational central midfielder in the Xavi/Iniesta mould – Mata’s a bit of both.
The Spaniard is a sensational passer of the ball, long and short. He reads the game beautifully and can control the entire tempo of a match. Everything should go through him. He also scores goals – lots of them. So what’s the problem?
The obvious argument is that he doesn’t have the physical presence or tackling ability to play in the centre of the park. Rubbish. Was Paul Scholes a man mountain who was able to tackle? No. He was a diminutive player who won more red cards than balls in the tackle. And, lest we forget, Scholes also began his career as a forward. The tackling, shackling job can be given to Micheal Carrick leaving Mata to control possession, orchestrate attacks and generally ‘run tings’ from the middle of the park – just like Scholes did.
Manchester United wanted Cesc Fabregas in the summer. He’s exactly the same sort player as Mata and Moyes would have had no qualms at all with playing Fabregas in the middle of the park.
So for us, Mata is the long awaited answer to Paul Scholes. A goal scoring midfielder of pure class, vision and technique.
Moyes simply has to play Mata as his creative midfielder in the middle of the park.
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Cyril
Jan 23, 2014 at 4:12 am
Funny, how could you even compare mata to scholes? Maybe for you mata would suddenly become a hard tackler. You wish ..
Chelsea Alan
Jan 23, 2014 at 5:15 am
Mata has been in a Chelsea side that has finished a country mile behind United in the last two seasons. Chelsea are now better and higher in the league than United. Don’t you think there is more than a coincidence that Matta can’t get into the Chelsea starting 11 this season? Mourinho is no body’s fool and you guys should be asking yourself just why Jose has allowed Mata to go to you? Roman doesn’t exactly need the money. Mata IS NOT the answer to United’s problems at the moment which will be born out over the next couple of seasons to United fans. Moyes recruitment of both Fellaini and now Mata does not bode well for United’s immediate future.
Aubrey
Jan 23, 2014 at 11:47 am
Those words were also spoken when we purchased RVP from Asernal and it later it became a thorn in their fresh
Chelsea Alan
Jan 23, 2014 at 5:25 am
Sorry but I forgot to mention in the above. You talk about Scholes not being the Worlds’ best ‘tackler’ but what Scholes was ALWAYS excellent at was tracking back to assist his defence. When the ball broke he was always there (in front of your back 4) to start moves or breakaways off. You WILL NOT get that from Mata. Rooney tracks back more than Mata ever will. I have watched Mata very closely over the last few seasons and Jose is spot on in selling the Spaniard. He is an excellent individual player but too one dimensional for a top team that wants to actually win a slog that is a league title. Good luck though as he is a gentleman and Chelsea wish the guy every success except when he plays against Chelsea of course.
Sir Y
Jan 23, 2014 at 2:52 pm
But i bet you voted for him as Chelsea player of the year for the two consecutive seasons! Right?
Immortal
Jan 23, 2014 at 5:37 am
I regret to c Roman bringing mourinho back to chelsea nd this is just the beginin. my MATA is gone. wish u my boy nd best player; all the best. u hv won many truphies for us except EPL u will make it in unity as a united player. Mourinho is a big fool.
Sir Cecil
Jan 23, 2014 at 6:07 am
You’re in for a surprise then. Yes, Mata has a similar range of touch and pass as a Silva, Cazorla, Oscar, Modric and other top midfielders. But unfortunately, he hasn’t got the battling qualities of ANY of them. And comparing him with the incredibly hard-working Xavi and Iniesta is laughable.
The reason Mourinho doesn’t want Mata is twofold. First, he has the running power of a 34 year old, not a 25 year old. But even if he does run back on rare occasions, he does nothing when he gets there. He can’t tackle, but worse than that… he AVOIDS making tackles, as if he’s scared of hurting himself. For Mourinho, all the skill in the world doesn’t make up for gutless play.
Remember how Mourinho worked hard on Joe Cole and Robben, to make them better team players, and succeeding? Well, he son realized that getting Mata to play for more than ten minutes in any 45 minutes was an impossibility. Sure, on his day Mata can win a game with just ten minutes of his skill in each half. But on too many other days, his disappearance the rest o the time LOSES games against top opposition. That’s why, apart from the highlight reel stuff, Mata’s contributions to this point last season saw Chelsea languishing as many points behind in the PL as Utd are behind this season. But this time, with Mata barely getting a game, Chelsea is challenging at the top.
Mata is a lovely player to watch when things are going nice and smoothly. But Scholes was a player to have around when things weren’t going so well. He’s make a difference. And that IS the difference.
Mourinho doesn’t EVER do anything without full calculation of every conceivable outcome. That’s obvious to anyone, whether friend or foe. The fact that he’s turfed out Mata should be a considerable warning that something is amiss. As is the total lack of interest in this player by top sides like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, or even Man. City. That’s because they all have better. Just as Chelsea has.
Fredrick Oluoch
Jan 23, 2014 at 7:32 am
I completely agree with this,I think mata can play in the middle of the park more creatively along carrick or Fletcher.
realist
Jan 23, 2014 at 2:23 pm
not convinced mata will make a good partner for carrick in cm what so ever!
i agree that comparing him with scholes and xavi iniesta is also tosh, iniesta maybe, but not as good, and i would not play iniesta in a cm 2 with carrick either!
mata however will be a good signing for us i believe. rvp is always injured so when that is the case we can play the fat moaning scouse git up top with mata behind him, and if rvp does manage to trot out we have many good options rather than none!
by the way hernandez is freaking dire, couldnt trap a abag of sand and was a major reason for us being under so much pressure last night!
julcanard
Jan 23, 2014 at 3:41 pm
Sorry, but Rooney will play 6/8 and Mata 10. We all knows Rooney has the ability to drive the team, give the tempo, and good at defense too !
Sorry, for him.. Rooney is the new Scholes. (Sorry because I think he prefer play as a striker)
julcanard
Jan 23, 2014 at 3:44 pm
If you want defense : Rooney as 6/8 & Mata 10
If you want attack : Rooney 10 & Mata 8 (definitively not a 6)
Big E
Jan 23, 2014 at 5:25 pm
All I can say is of all the players to get from chelsea we get Mata in my opinion 1 the most talented midfielders in the prem. I can remember the last couple of seasons Juan Mata was the player I was most concerned about when we played chelsea. All those Haters wishing to see us fall, just watch this space it aint over till the final whistle. Man reds have a tradition of winning that stands for ever. We might not win much this season but that doesnt mean we no longer know how to win. Besides give someone else a chance well done Moyes
kevin munuti
Jan 23, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Mata is the exact answer for the red devils, he is creative,he is not a trouble maker who would be red carded like scholes,he is not selfish like Nani,,he is sharp in vision and does not like playing under pressure—we shall miss you mata,
saha
Jan 23, 2014 at 9:35 pm
Sorry stop carrying Alan and other Chelsea fans Mata is now united player …is big mistake for Jose let him go because he hate Mata and under Spanish players in Mata is nice sign for united ..united is alive again
Daniel Lamin Kamara
Jan 24, 2014 at 12:26 pm
You see folks, the argument over the sale of Mata to Manchester United, is a real blessing indeed. Whatever the outcome of that sale would have been without those arguments, would have been negative to Manchester United. Trust me folks, those arguments would now have positive impact within the United family. These arguments are corrective measures which Moyes should use to prepare Mata and where to play him. These arguments should not be negatively interpreted otherwise. They are too good to be ignored. Remember, Mata is an ASSET to the club. Lets watch out, the player is now the LUBRICANT in the GEAR-BOX of Manchester United winning VEHICLE.
Sullubawa07
Jan 26, 2014 at 10:59 am
I like to see the combination of RVP off mata,rooney,adnan,hum fans let see this combination 4,2,3,1
joseph
Apr 5, 2014 at 8:48 am
i don’t think you are right at all. Rooney is the answer to all the midfield problems. Can attack and as well as defend. Rooney should play the 6.