Juan Mata | 2013/14 Performances

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bosnian_red

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Absolutely no width there.
Shaw and Rafael as wing backs provides it. It'd be like Netherlands playing 5-3-2 at the World Cup, only probably have Carrick as more of a defensive midfielder then center back, behind Herrera and Vidal :drool:
 

Kill 'em all

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We have yet to see the best of Mata in a Manchester United shirt and van Gaal will get the best out of him in that free role.

We might have ignored it because of our bad form as a team but he was class during those last 2 months of the season after he started to settle into the team. Ended the season with 6 goals and 4 assists in 15 appearances even after Moyes was messing around with him, playing him in different positions every game for the first few appearances.

He may become our main player over the course of this season and van Gaal is really helping him to do so by giving him that main role in our team Rooney has been taking up for so long. Finally we can play Rooney at what he's best at, as a striker and Mata as our real number 10.
 

jeff_goldblum

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I think Mata is somewhat underrated on here, possibly because of the context of his signing (Mourinho wanting rid etc.). On the basis of his Chelsea career I'd argue that he's probably our best player, in the 2012/3 season I thought he should have been player of the season over Bale and he was certainly better than Van Persie or Rooney were that season. I reckon we'll see a great season from him.
 

El-Manos

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He is simply amazing, one of the only good decisions Moyes ever made, bringing this fella to where he belongs.
 

Oneunited26

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He is simply amazing, one of the only good decisions Moyes ever made, bringing this fella to where he belongs.
I still think when we look at the mata fellaini signings, that 64 million we spent on both could have been used to strengthen our engine room/wide players. Strootman herrera even sanchez we could have got for less than 64 million, if we used that money last summer

Very good signing, but considering the players we currently have, its hard to see how he dove tails without a radical overhaul of our system. To even think we can fit in all of RVP rooney janazaj and mata, let alone see where kagwa fits into all of this, without seeing major problems in the way we approach games trying to fit them all into a starting 11, is a big problem

I want to see janazaj develop, he is at a stage where he can play nearly week in week out to the level rooney was at back in 2004, when rooney was 19
 
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Oo0AahCantona

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Just want to chime in by saying he's currently my favourite united player and will turn out to be one of our greatest ever purchases. To history Juan.
 

Kill 'em all

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I still think when we look at the mata fellaini signings, that 64 million we spent on both could have been used to strengthen our engine room/wide players. Strootman herrera even sanchez we could have got for less than 64 million, if we used that money last summer

Very good signing, but considering the players we currently have, its hard to see how he dove tails without a radical overhaul of our system. To even think we can fit in all of RVP rooney janazaj and mata, let alone see where kagwa fits into all of this, without seeing major problems in the way we approach games trying to fit them all into a starting 11, is a big problem

I want to see janazaj develop, he is at a stage where he can play nearly week in week out to the level rooney was at back in 2004, when rooney was 19
What makes you think that spending said money on Mata limited our ability to strengthen our wingers and CM? We are running on an unlimited transfer budget.
 

Oneunited26

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What makes you think that spending said money on Mata limited our ability to strengthen our wingers and CM? We are running on an unlimited transfer budget.
What I meant was we could have had a stronger midfield already going into the new season
 

ottosec

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I don't think we realize yet how good this guy is. He was unfortunate to come here in a really bad time, a time that we all like to forget and somehow his signing was a little forgotten too.

Top top player, also a brilliant person. There is no way you can't love this guy.

Still can't believe Mourinho sold him.
 

Speak

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What makes you think that spending said money on Mata limited our ability to strengthen our wingers and CM? We are running on an unlimited transfer budget.
Of course it does. Squad restrictions firstly.
Secondly, while we potential could spend £250 million today if we wanted to, we aren't going to. We have almost unlimited funds, yes. but is it all available to spend? No.

The only club close to genuinely running on an unlimited transfer budget is Madrid.
 

RuudTom83

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Play him in the middle LVG and the football will be :drool:

It is going to be a good season!
 

LawCharltonBest

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I rate Mata as the best player in the league. But only in the number 10. The fact it looks likely LvG is going to play him there consistantly next season fills me with so much confidence.

The only thing that concerns me is the lack of pace in the front 3. Can we really see Rooney being dropped?
 

united_99

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I rate Mata as the best player in the league. But only in the number 10. The fact it looks likely LvG is going to play him there consistantly next season fills me with so much confidence.

The only thing that concerns me is the lack of pace in the front 3. Can we really see Rooney being dropped?
Yep, and RvP too. If LvG thinks it's better to start Welbeck with his pace ahead of RvP/Rooney in certain games, then he will do it without doubt. Same with Mata/Kagawa, although I am 100 % sure Mata will be his first choice No 10 most of the time.
 

mic.m

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Mata is the shit. I have nothing negative to say about him. He was imo the best player in the league in the 2012-13 season ahead of Bale, RVP, Suarez. I'm happy he's here. I expect great things from him now we have a proper manager. Hiss form could mean the end of us enduring Rooney's customary mid season/post injury slump.
 

That'sHernandez

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I still think when we look at the mata fellaini signings, that 64 million we spent on both could have been used to strengthen our engine room/wide players. Strootman herrera even sanchez we could have got for less than 64 million, if we used that money last summer

Very good signing, but considering the players we currently have, its hard to see how he dove tails without a radical overhaul of our system. To even think we can fit in all of RVP rooney janazaj and mata, let alone see where kagwa fits into all of this, without seeing major problems in the way we approach games trying to fit them all into a starting 11, is a big problem

I want to see janazaj develop, he is at a stage where he can play nearly week in week out to the level rooney was at back in 2004, when rooney was 19

Pretty poor argument really, you could say the same about £30m on a non-international Spanish midfielder, when an international went for just £10m more. You could also say we overpaid for Shaw, which could be spent on other more established players too, it doesn't really matter.

Januzaj is no where near ready to play week in, week out. We saw last season that he was defensively suspect against any fullback who dared to press him, leaving Evra very exposed.
 

Oneunited26

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Pretty poor argument really, you could say the same about £30m on a non-international Spanish midfielder, when an international went for just £10m more. You could also say we overpaid for Shaw, which could be spent on other more established players too, it doesn't really matter.

Januzaj is no where near ready to play week in, week out. We saw last season that he was defensively suspect against any fullback who dared to press him, leaving Evra very exposed.
Young players will make mistakes, ronaldo did it at 19 is well. I just never thought the signing made sense when we had rooney kagwa etc. He could be a great signing, I just do not think it makes any sense playing them all together. When the money spent on fellaini and mata could have been used to strengthen the engine room
 

That'sHernandez

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Young players will make mistakes, ronaldo did it at 19 is well. I just never thought the signing made sense when we had rooney kagwa etc. He could be a great signing, I just do not think it makes any sense playing them all together. When the money spent on fellaini and mata could have been used to strengthen the engine room
Frankly I think there is room for all of them, so long as they're happy with heavy rotation for one season.
 

Bwuk

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Fantastic player, one of my favourites, but to be honest I don't think we should of signed him. Him Rooney and RVP don't work together, the 3-5-2 with those three wouldn't have any pace either. They are all too good to be sitting on our bench as well.
 

Lawman

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I see no reason why Rooney RVP and Mata can't work? Its not always all about just pace, clever movement works wonders and Rooney and Rvp are not exactly pedestrian. It just means we need width from full backs and two energetic midfielders (we already have one). I'm looking forward to this season as I think although we are behind squad wise with Chelsea & City our attack could prove devastating to any team in the world! Attack attack attack ;)
 

Vato

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One of the most likeable spaniards along with Iniesta. For that alone I hope he can help United win some silverware and have a great career here. Top lad.
 

friendlytramp

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Mata will be main man, RVP won't play every week, rooney can take up different positions but Mata will be a constant at 10.
 

Theon

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This 3-5-2 will be perfect for him. It allows him to play centrally and having two strikers offers him more threatening passing options.
 

KingMinger22

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He will be excellent when he plays with Herrera and hopefully a couple other quality signings.
 

Sandikan

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This 3-5-2 will be perfect for him. It allows him to play centrally and having two strikers offers him more threatening passing options.
This. It seems to be massively changing in his favour.

Yet all the first posts on this page are negatives. Having 2 strikers ahead of him, and 2 midfielders behind him sound ideal for him. No more pissing about out wide and having to defend
 

Irish-Red-7

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Going to back to his best next season, first choice through the middle and not on the wing. Under a quality manager not Moyes so expect him to shine. Backing him for a stormer of a season to show he's the best no. 10 in the league.

Jose eat your heart out on this one.
 
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