We need to be less kind with contract renewals

[littleman]

I think it depends on the balance of the outlay we'll spend in the summer. What is our summer budget and how many players will we buy, against what position?

I'd say a CB and RB are more important than a RW.

Between Mata and Sanchez, depending of Sanchez's performance for the rest of the season we should let go of one. If Sanchez goes we should keep Mata as a backup for a first choice RW.

We also don't need to offer Mata the same pay, it can be lower than previous years. What matters is realistically whether other teams that he finds desirable would pay him significantly more. That considered, I don't think so and we can retain his services for cheaper as I don't see an immediate alternative for him.

 

[Red_toad]

Don't get it, why anyone want Mata out ? He doesn't play as a guaranteed starter. He's happy with a bit part role and playing on occasions. He never complains of the bench, has great relationship with teammates and fans and can offer some quality from time to time. He's a great squad option to have. I'll only want him out if he's playing as a regular starter or asks for it but he doesn't.

Agree with the rest of squad option but Mata is a good one to stay. The rest should be offloaded.

Yeah he’s a nice guy and all that. But just a squad player, not going to improve. How about get shot of him and give his game time to one of the youngsters. Look at long term development, over someone being a good bloke who occasionally offers a bit of magic.

 

[el3mel]

Yeah he’s a nice guy and all that. But just a squad player, not going to improve. How about get shot of him and give his game time to one of the youngsters. Look at long term development, over someone being a good bloke who occasionally offers a bit of magic.

We can give more time to a youngster without needing to axe a player that actually doesn't complain about not playing much.

 

[LingiBW]

People on this forum are amazing.

Imagine if you were running a business and had workers that were not producing expected results whilst earning handsomely from you. Would you want to just keep renewing their employment contracts because they were low maintenance or would you rather want someone else who'd drive your business a step forward.

I do not have a problem the likes of Mata being renewed,but only if we do it with a view to move them on instead of keeping them because as a club we need bench players to keep the 1st team on its toes.

Too much sentiment is why we are currently spending so much with little return.

 

[anant]

It makes no sense to release Mata especially as Chong isn't ready yet. We will be letting go of Valencia, atleast one of Jones or Rojo (maybe both), Darmian, possibly Pereira and Fellaini at the very least. This would mean we need atleast 1 or 2 CBs, possibly 2 fullbacks, a CM- that's 5 signings! Sanchez and Lukaku might look elsewhere if they are demoted to the bench as well
You can't just release every player in the side who you don't rate very highly. He doesn't mind sitting games out, is a good influence on the side and someone who should be retained because you won't get many players better than him as squad options.

 

[Freak]

We should extend Mata’s contract. Even if we do not intend to play him, it should be done to get a decent fee in the transfer window. Players are assets to the club not just on the pitch.

 

[haram]

Nothing wrong with Mata staying another year. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t sign a RW.

 

[flappyjay]

Nothing wrong with Mata staying another year. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t sign a RW.

We would be top heavy, we would still have to release one of the other attacking players. Right now we can field a front three of Martial, Rashford and Jessie. We can also field sanchez, lukaku and Mata. No matter how you look at it we have to realese one in order to sign another. Whatever space is left should be filled by Greenwood, Gomes and Chong

 

[Red_toad]

We can give more time to a youngster without needing to axe a player that actually doesn't complain about not playing much.

No we can't if we wish to develop youth players, having squad players will obviously block their pathway into the team. Mata is still a decent player, but we have some great prospects who hardly get a look in who are after playing the same role.

 

[ROFLUTION]

We need squad players, but we've got 3 at the right flank at the moment. Keeping him, would only be if we don't invest in a right winger, which we very much need.

I'd prefer Bergwijn to compete with Lingard/Sanchez instead of Mata. Build for the future like England under Southgate. I love Mata btw, but his time will probably soon come, even though he's useful.

In short: The guy's old, get rid, build for the future.

 

[Zlatattack]

I don't buy the argument of value. If you sign someone like Mata on 150k Pw just so you can sell him next year, instead of letting him go on a free, you're paying him £7m quid a year. How much money do you expect to get for a 31 year old midfielder?

 

[Miscemayl]

I don't buy the argument of value. If you sign someone like Mata on 150k Pw just so you can sell him next year, instead of letting him go on a free, you're paying him £7m quid a year. How much money do you expect to get for a 31 year old midfielder?

Even if you sell him for only 7m, you would've effectively kept him for a year for free...

I can't understand why people is against renewing Mata... We would probably be out of the CL by now if not for his free-kick.

He doesn't complain, he loves United, he's loved by the team, what's the issue?

 

[youmeletsfly]

Mata has some core Utd values and is a very mature guy, also useful on the field.
These kind of players should be kept around for the sake of the group. Players like Valencia, Jones, Felli, hell even Lukaku are players that shouldn't get new contracts, Mata is just fine to have around.

 

[Zlatattack]

Even if you sell him for only 7m, you would've effectively kept him for a year for free...

I can't understand why people is against renewing Mata... We would probably be out of the CL by now if not for his free-kick.

He doesn't complain, he loves United, he's loved by the team, what's the issue?

All your points are valid. A lot of my arguement is based in assumption, which could be wrong.

I assume he'll struggle to fit into our new quicker style of football. If that is the case, then when he is utilised as a squad player we either need to change our system to get the best out of him, or we end up performing at a lower level. Ideally in my world, a squad player should be someone pushing to get into the first team and keeping out the first team players until they force their way back in. It's okay sometimes to have a squad player who you do change the style for, because you want to have a plan B, but that's not the same as having to change because the player isn't a good enough fit in plan A.

I assume while we still have him we wont get a proper RW. Now you mentioned Mata kept us in the CL with a great free kick, i agree. But I wonder if we'd needed that if we have a proper attacking outlet in our RW as we do on our left. I think for years teams have known you don't have to worry about defending the left side of the pitch against Manchester United, you only have to defend the right side, because they're only effective attacking from the left. If we had a more balanced attack (as we seem to do atm with Lingard/Rashford playing on the right), we stretch teams more and make more space for our attacking players.

If my assumptions are proven to be wrong, then i take away my objection.

 

[Zlatattack]

Mata has some core Utd values and is a very mature guy, also useful on the field.
These kind of players should be kept around for the sake of the group. Players like Valencia, Jones, Felli, hell even Lukaku are players that shouldn't get new contracts, Mata is just fine to have around.

I agree, he's bottom of my list of players to move on - but he was the example in the media on the day i made the topic.

 

[Red Devil Rising]

Don't see an issue in extending Mata's contract.

We're not going to overpower, out run and out pace every team. If games aren't going your way then he can provide something different to open up a defence. It's all about options.

 

[el3mel]

No we can't if we wish to develop youth players, having squad players will obviously block their pathway into the team. Mata is still a decent player, but we have some great prospects who hardly get a look in who are after playing the same role.

No it won't block their path unless the manager believes Mata is better than this youngster and deserves to play more than him.

 

[settembrini]

I don't care that Mata is a nice guy or popular in the dressing room anymore than I did when people used to insist we should keep Anderson for those same reasons. I care about his performances on the pitch and they are not good enough, not even close.

Of our main six attackers this season Mata has less goals + assists than all of them except Sanchez (who has played significantly less game time). Last season it was the same. Rashford, Martial, Lukaku and Lingard got from 22-37 goals + assists each, Mata managed 10. Again the only player he beat was Sanchez, who had half a season less than him and was regarded as a huge flop anyway.

As a senior attacker who takes many corners and free kicks he should be one of our leaders in terms of goals and assists (as he was in his early seasons for us) instead he trails behind. If hugs and smiles are all fans want to see then I guess extending his contract makes sense, if fans want to see United winning the league again then it doesn't.

 

[Irish Jet]

Mata is ridiculously overrated here. Offers next to nothing.

 

[Roboc7]

More thought needs to be put into the renewals, we don’t protect value with these players because their wages make them insellable, most recent example is Fellaini. His wages mean we wouldn’t be able to sell him or any fee would have to be used to subsidise his wages.

Mata was signed as our record signing and was one of the league’s best players, his wages will reflect that. His current status is nowhere near that and any future contract should reflect that in terms of wages and length. If he isn’t willing to accept a reduction then let him go, after all where does he go from here where he can earn the £150k a week or so he is currently on.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

No idea why people seem to think RW isnt a need and to just bring back mata. Huge issue for us forever now, and is time to address it. Bring in a RW, CB, and CM this summer. Good transfer window and can push on for title.

 

[Zlatattack]

No idea why people seem to think RW isnt a need and to just bring back mata. Huge issue for us forever now, and is time to address it. Bring in a RW, CB, and CM this summer. Good transfer window and can push on for title.

Please add RB to that list. Dalot is still young and learning his trade.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

Please add RB to that list. Dalot is still young and learning his trade.

meh keep young as cover, and if we get a top RW will allow Dalot to focus a bit more on defensive side of game and get forward when he can. A good offense is the best defense. Put teams under pressure like a top side should, and our RB wont be doing too much defending as is.

 

[Brightonian]

Of course Mata should get an extension, he's a gifted squad player who doesn't complain about spending a lot of time on the bench and has popped up and contributed goals and assists at key moments plenty of times over the year.

Why are people obsessed with the idea of a tiny squad?

 

[Zlatattack]

meh keep young as cover, and if we get a top RW will allow Dalot to focus a bit more on defensive side of game and get forward when he can. A good offense is the best defense. Put teams under pressure like a top side should, and our RB wont be doing too much defending as is.

The problem with that approach is, when you have to mark Hazard or Sane or Neymar - suddenly you're relying on a 33 year old Ashley Young, or Dalot who's played 13 professional games so far in his entire career. 99% of the time that's great, but we're Manchester United, we should be in the semi finals of cup competitions and playing 6 pointers for the league. You lose matches like that waiting for players to develop.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

The problem with that approach is, when you have to mark Hazard or Sane or Neymar - suddenly you're relying on a 33 year old Ashley Young, or Dalot who's played 13 professional games so far in his entire career. 99% of the time that's great, but we're Manchester United, we should be in the semi finals of cup competitions and playing 6 pointers for the league. You lose matches like that waiting for players to develop.

Well it is a good thing those are like 5 percent of our games. And considering city have played with guys like delph as their FB think it undermines your point pretty hard. When you attack with the whole width of the pitch, ironically like the teams you mention, you dont have to have a world class RB. Funny enough look at the teams you mentioned and i dont really believe any of them have a world class RB themselves(i dont really consider walker "world class" but im sure some rate him super high) I would take Dalot/Young options at RB vs literally having not a single RW player on this team and never being able to attack down half the pitch.

 

[Zlatattack]

Of course Mata should get an extension, he's a gifted squad player who doesn't complain about spending a lot of time on the bench and has popped up and contributed goals and assists at key moments plenty of times over the year.

Why are people obsessed with the idea of a tiny squad?

If you read my original post, i suggest we either replace these players by p buying externally or through promoting from within. I don't want a tiny squad, i want a better squad.

At city they have Sane, Sterling and Aguero up front. The they've got Jesus, Mahrez, Silva. Rotate those 6 - there's no drop in quality. Try that with our front 6. There is a drop in the quality of our attack when we're not playing our best attackers.

Has anyone noticed KDB was injured? Would we notice if Pogba was out for long? That's the kind of strength we need in our squad, because that's what all the elite teams now have.

 

[Zlatattack]

Well it is a good thing those are like 5 percent of our games. And considering city have played with guys like delph as their FB think it undermines your point pretty hard. When you attack with the whole width of the pitch, ironically like the teams you mention, you dont have to have a world class RB. Funny enough look at the teams you mentioned and i dont really believe any of them have a world class RB themselves. I would take Dalot/Young options at RB vs literally having not a single RW player on this team and never being able to attack down half the pitch.

Walker, Munier, Alves, Azpilicueta, probably even Danilo would walk in ahead of all our right backs. City can afford Delph at left back because they have 10 world class players to cover for him being a makeshift player.

It's this embracing of mediocrity that's keeping us back. I don't even know what your last sentence means. When did i suggest we replace them with cones?

 

[FerociousCorgis]

Walker, Munier, Alves, Azpilicueta, probably even Danilo would walk in ahead of all our right backs. City can afford Delph at left back because they have 10 world class players to cover for him being a makeshift player.

It's this embracing of mediocrity that's keeping us back. I don't even know what your last sentence means. When did i suggest we replace them with cones?

Hahaha it is amazing you dont see your irony there. "Embracing of mediocrity" like oh....idk....


re-signing mata?

Ha you might want to think that through a bit. And my point is this. We either sign a RB and keep mata as a RW option, or Sign a real RW option and keep young/dalot as our RB's. I believe more in the prospect of dalot/young at rb than continually doing something that doesnt work in mata at RW and not being able to put anyone in at RW. I really just dont get what point you are trying to make. City can afford players like delph at LB because they have great attacking players to cover for him...which is exactly what i want us to do here. Get great attacking players to cover for our RB. If we have a lineup with rashford playing up top, martial left and a high quality player attacking RW, pogba with a CM signing like i advocated and herrera/matic, and then we add the CB like i said is a pretty damn good lineup. Not being greedy and saying we need 5-6 signings at all once, just get 3 in RW/CM/CB with some smart sales and we will be good to go.

 

[fellaini's barber]

We're like a charity at this point, especially for the academy players. Agents and players must anxiously awaiting our interest,once you're in you're in

 

[Zlatattack]

Hahaha it is amazing you dont see your irony there. "Embracing of mediocrity" like oh....idk....


re-signing mata?

Ha you might want to think that through a bit. And my point is this. We either sign a RB and keep mata as a RW option, or Sign a real RW option and keep young/dalot as our RB's. I believe more in the prospect of dalot/young at rb than continually doing something that doesnt work in mata at RW and not being able to put anyone in at RW. I really just dont get what point you are trying to make. City can afford players like delph at LB because they have great attacking players to cover for him...which is exactly what i want us to do here. Get great attacking players to cover for our RB. If we have a lineup with rashford playing up top, martial left and a high quality player attacking RW, pogba with a CM signing like i advocated and herrera/matic, and then we add the CB like i said is a pretty damn good lineup. Not being greedy and saying we need 5-6 signings at all once, just get 3 in RW/CM/CB with some smart sales and we will be good to go.

Umm i've been arguing against re-signing Mata. I think this is were we may have got our wires crossed.

I want to see us sign a top class RW and a RB because I think as good as Dalot might come to be in years to come, I want someone in that position who can provide him competition and also who can hit the ground running. That way we have quality in both positions on the right AND competition for places.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

Umm i've been arguing against re-signing Mata. I think this is were we may have got our wires crossed.

I want to see us sign a top class RW and a RB because I think as good as Dalot might come to be in years to come, I want someone in that position who can provide him competition and also who can hit the ground running. That way we have quality in both positions on the right AND competition for places.

ahhh i c. Yeah wires crossed. Im just of the belief that getting the 4 signings in is just a bit too much to expect (although honestly not that difficult if done properly) A club our size could get it done if need be and started early. Unfortunately no manager and no DOF not really gonna happen

 

[El Jefe]

Even if you sell him for only 7m, you would've effectively kept him for a year for free...

I can't understand why people is against renewing Mata... We would probably be out of the CL by now if not for his free-kick.

He doesn't complain, he loves United, he's loved by the team, what's the issue?

Because most of us realise that we desperately need to sign a right winger. Let's say we were to sign a top class player like Sancho or Fekir, what role would Mata serve in the team?

His best years are behind him where all our other attackers bar Sanchez will continue to improve. If he will struggle to make the bench then there's no use of keeping him on a £150k+ contract.

 

[Zlatattack]

ahhh i c. Yeah wires crossed. Im just of the belief that getting the 4 signings in is just a bit too much to expect (although honestly not that difficult if done properly) A club our size could get it done if need be and started early. Unfortunately no manager and no DOF not really gonna happen

Yeah i know, wish it was otherwise. Glad we straightened that out.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Yous are all fcuking idiots, Mata’s a great player.

Mata is not a starter, but he contributes to the squad. He's rarely injured, and is good for a few goals here and there. I don't get why people are so keen to be rid of him.

I'd sooner get rid of people who don't contribute, like Rojo, Darmian etc. There is no good reason why a new (starting, I assume) RW cannot be bought while Mata is a squad player.

 

[Andersonson]

Mata should be kept. A very good squad-player and has things to his game that few in the squad has.

There are players in the squad who are simply not good enough for a side that wants to challenge for the title though. Andreas and Rojo to name atleast two.

 

[AndyJ1985]

It's annoying me that we keep ignoring glaring weaknesses in the team and just keep extending the contracts of mediocre players. First it was our midfield, which took years to sort out, and now it's the right wing, defence, and full backs. The full back position is a joke, we have had the same two ageing winger-turned-fullbacks there for years. I wish we'd be more ruthless and ship out players before degrade to the point of being totally useless. It's how clubs like Bayer, Barcelona and Real Madrid maintain such strong teams because they are constantly looking to improve instead of letting the team get stale. We'll extend Mata's contract and spend yet another season with him and Lingard on the right, meaning it'll be another season where we're ineffective in that area of the pitch.

The argument that we should keep all these players as squad players is nonsense. We can only have 25 players in the squad so the more we keep the more limited we are with how many players we can actually buy, plus it means we have less money to spend on wages.

 

[AgentP]

I don't mind if Mata decides to leave. In my opinion, we need one starter and one good sub for each position. The sub for the front 3 are Sanchez, Lukaku and Mata at the moment. But once we get a good RW, Lingard will be our sub for that position. We also have Greenwood coming along. He should start getting games on the RW from next season.

 

[Member 93275]

What surprises me is that Mata would want this. He's 30. Shouldn't he want to play every week? How can he be comfortable in this role?

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Mata is playmaker and he is Pogba’s backup imo, so he should be kept for another year until we actually have someone else who can pass the ball other than Pogba.