Juan Mata pretty much represents Manchester United’s style of play in microcosm at the moment.
He’s a nice lad with good control of the football. But he is never what you would call a swashbuckling athlete.
He is measured in his play and would much rather take an extra touch than hit an early ball or take a risk.
His desire to take an extra touch with the goal beckoning against PSV was the case in point.
LvG possibly likes the Spaniard for this reason. He plays with his head and likes to hold onto the ball.
But this is not Manchester United’s at their best and this is perhaps why Mata will move on in the next year or so.
He slows play down too often when his role is supposed to be as the man who makes decisive passes and breaks down the opponent.
This simply doesn’t happen enough. He had his chance in the hole against PSV but didn’t play one key pass – and PSV aren’t exactly what you would call ‘elite’ opposition.
Step forward Ander Herrera. A player with much more urgency and a risk-taker.
It doesn’t always come off for him. Indeed, he can lose the ball in dangerous areas for Manchester United.
But so did Paul Scholes and no one would ever doubt this ability.
Herrera has been quiet when he has started for Manchester United of late but he’s been playing in a deeper role. His last really good game was against Bruges in The Champions League qualifiers where he ended up at number 10.
This illustrates to us that his best position is in the hole where he is permitted to take risks without directly endangering his defence.
Unlike Mata, Herrera looks for the forward pass every time he receives the ball. He’s a head up, direct and attacking footballer with great precision. He’s also an excellent finisher.
LvG has regularly played Mata on the right. We strongly believe that he needs to use the pace of Martial and Memphis on the wings. These guys are natural athletes who can exploit the flanks as Mata rarely does.
And we would give Herrera 5 games in the hole with Rooney up top, to see what they can do as a unit.
Mata is technically good and scores goals. But he doesn’t suit the way that the best Manchester United teams play.
Herrera, on the other hand, does.
So here is our best XI for the Southampton game. Manchester United fans: thoughts please.
jack
Sep 20, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Comment: Ashley young on the right, Rooney at 10 , memphis on the left, martial upfront. shneiderline pairing with Carrick in the middle of the park.
kenneth
Sep 20, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Comment: herrera should play in number 10 role while depay on the left martial on the right with schneiderlin and carrick or sweinteiger mata should be dropped he has no pace on the wings
Fabian
Sep 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Comment: I think rooney will be better in 10 position martial should lead de line upfront depay and mata as left and right winger.carick and schniederlin in midfield it wil be more dangerous to the opposition side and with this I see rooney or martial scoring in this match.
jmb53
Sep 21, 2015 at 2:02 am
Rooney will be better ON THE BENCH. SLOW, LACK AGGRESSION, WON”T SHOOT, NO TOUCH!!!