The snails will hold this team back

[IrishRedDevil]

Mata and Matic - coastal erosion is quicker than these two.

We can’t regularly start games with the two of them on the pitch at the same time.

I don’t think we will buy a defensive midfielder unfortunately, so we will probably have to accept Matic starting alot of games. If so, Mata can’t be starting.

We are trying to press from the front, but when Mata is involved, the collective press is simply not effective. Opposition players can easily bypass Mata no matter how much he painfully plods around. The high press needs 4 dynamic players all relentlessly hunting in a pack but Mata just hasn’t got it in his locker, so we are pressing but not fully committed to it meaning the system breaks down. I’ve seen Martial and Rashford literally stop pressing when they look around and seen the others not in the correct pressing positions or not fit to spring a press.

The team looked far better when Mata and Matic went off and were replaced by Fred and Greenwood (I know it was only a preseason game).

I think I’m just annoyed that Mata started preseason games ahead of Gomes/Greenwood. I’m away for a beer.

 

[DoomSlayer]

They should never start again, unless as total last contingency. Same goes for young. We need fast, fresh and brave players to play in Ole's system and we definitely have a lot of them currently.

Hopefully Solskjaer has realised that and doesn't rest on CVs and player names.

 

[NJM78]

Both need to be gone next summer and have very limited game time this season.

I fear neither will come true.

 

[pocco]

Honestly, it will 100% be the end of Ole here if he continues to persist with this team. Last season was a free lesson that he should have learnt.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I think Matas time is up. A bit like when we all knew Rooney's time was up.

Mata was painfully slow today. He cannot even sprint anymore. Just jogs around the pitch. Still has a good eye. But he is a liability he is so slow.

 

[Shaw Mee Tah Mané]

Play Mata this year so Gomes leaves us for free next summer, definitely happening.

 

[Dec9003]

I much prefer Mata over Matic, and I think he still has something to offer. We can't play both though, that much is clear.

 

[clarkydaz]

3 times in the first half Matic was caught in possession. Pre season

 

[Dan_F]

Giving Mata a new contact is a direct result of not having a director of football. Anyone with half a brain can see that there’s no benefit in playing him if we are wanting to press high.
We’re way too concerned with names than actually looking for players to fit a system.

If we were serious about playing a pressing system and playing out from the back, then the likes of Smalling, Young, Mata would have been straight out of the door. Look at what Pep did.

Obviously we don’t know the outgoings (Pogba) but currently we’d be better off signing a legit right sided attacker than Dybala. But I’m sure we’re just going to try and get him, then shift someone who shouldn’t be out wide.

 

[Reddy09]

OMG, if we starting Mata and Matic we are done for. My only problem is do our managers and coaches not seeing what everyone else can.

 

[settembrini]

I agree with you but it was actually Lingard who came on for Mata. Greenwood came on later for Martial. Both changes improved us though. As did Fred for Matic.

The coaching staff are crazy if they think these guys can play in the PL for us next season. This was an unfit Serie A side we were up against tonight and Matic and Mata couldn't get near them.

 

[Foxbatt]

we are not going to get any more new players this season. Ole looked despondent during the game. He knew the jig was up.

 

[Guapa]

Love them both but their time is clearly up here if we want to improve on last season's showing.Time to move aside.No time for sentiment in sport or business.

 

[Varun]

We had the chance of getting mata off the books but chose to tie wages up for 2 more seasons. Absolute joke.

Matic has been done since last season, the guy needs 5 touches every time he gets the ball and moves like a tank.

Neither should be anywhere close to the 11.

 

[Eckers99]

2 more years of Mata. Another sound contact decision.

 

[Sterling Archer]

We had the chance of getting mata off the books but chose to tie wages up for 2 more seasons. Absolute joke.

Matic has been done since last season, the guy needs 5 touches every time he gets the ball and moves like a tank.

Neither should be anywhere close to the 11.

We've done that now with several players. It's infuriating. And even moreso to see fans whine about player salaries for say, Dybala, when we've got deadwood eating up our account.

 

[Varun]

We've done that now with several players. It's infuriating. And even moreso to see fans whine about player salaries for say, Dybala, when we've got deadwood eating up our account.

Mata, Rojo, Jones. And then we wonder how we end up with 7 CBs, 12 attackers, and so little quality. 3 of them combined must be costing the club close to 20mil a year the very least. Mind boggling

 

[MadDogg]

We can get away with Mata if everyone else is pressing hard and fast. It's still not ideal but in that situation his movement between the lines (no matter how slow) and passing ability can sometimes be quite useful. In saying that I want pretty much all of his minutes going to Gomes.

Matic - I tend to think that he's finished. He's been terrible for 18 months now. He's not capable of being a part of a high press, and his defensive positioning is far too poor to be able to compensate. Unlike Mata, I can't see any system or combination where he's going to be a good option.

 

[iHicksy]

But but guys, "Mata is technically our best player" "Mata needs to play as a 10 and he'll be amazing" "Mata scores important goals" Blah blah blah.

 

[Grylte]

Honestly, it will 100% be the end of Ole here if he continues to persist with this team. Last season was a free lesson that he should have learnt.

Everyone needs to get minutes in pre-season in case of injuries, all needs to be fit.
Has nothing to do with persisting with the team. He isn't LvG or Mourinho.

 

[pocco]

Everyone needs to get minutes in pre-season in case of injuries, all needs to be fit.
Has nothing to do with persisting with the team. He isn't LvG or Mourinho.

He said the team that starts today will start vs Chelsea. So I'm guessing that means this is his favoured team.

 

[DoomSlayer]

He said the team that starts today will start vs Chelsea. So I'm guessing that means this is his favoured team.

No way. Matic and Mata starting is suicide, I'd be getting on Ole's case for the first time ever if he does that.

 

[Grylte]

He said the team that starts today will start vs Chelsea. So I'm guessing that means this is his favoured team.

Oh, didn't hear that, and i don't believe it.
Just thought you were another one of those that don't understand what the point of a pre-season is

Sorry!

 

[noodlehair]

It's about balance in the team. Mata is fine in the right role.

Matic is ok but I'm not sure in which universe him and McTominay as a midfield two is supposed to be a good idea. Probably the same one where Rashford isn't rubbish at taking corners. You can only have one or the other.

 

[Red_Aaron]

Matic looks done, like scary done.

Mata is an odder one, there's really no reason for a guy with his skill set to be so useless. He seems to play well within himself so often. He's never had pace so that's not a concern for me but his lack of courage to play a risky pass is strange because his range is exceptional. If he can be bolder I think he could still offer something, dropping deep and feeding our speed merchants should be right up his street

 

[11101]

I fear for Ole. If he plays Matic, Mata and Young with any regularity he won't last the season. It seems like he rates them though.

 

[R'hllor]

I wont huge issue with Mata playing in that one specific position here or there, none of that RW bollox, no no, that no. Understand he is great guy, who is probably positive thing to have in dressing room but he should take something of someone who not only showing more on the pitch but has potential for much more if developed right.

Matic on other hand...

 

[AltiUn]

I think the only reason Matic played today was because Pogba got injured. If we sign Dybala I doubt Mata even gets into every match day squad.

 

[Raven96__]

I never thought much of Mata, hes a good player dont get me wrong, but City have David Silva man.

 

[Gordon S]

Don't understand it, try to play with high aggressive pressing and then play two players in the middle that can't play that kind of football, at all?
Ole must be messing with Lampard when he says this team will start.

 

[Snuffkin]

Mata is a prince. He should be played in the middle, first name on the team sheet.

 

[Treble]

I'd be surprised if David Silva is quicker than Mata. Was Scholes quick? People are getting silly with this pace, pace, pace...

 

[red4ever 79]

I fear for Ole. If he plays Matic, Mata and Young with any regularity he won't last the season. It seems like he rates them though.

This is the fear. Ole seems to trust the experienced players and they are not good enough.

 

[psychdelicblues]

I'd be surprised if David Silva is quicker than Mata. Was Scholes quick? People are getting silly with this pace, pace, pace...

Silva has better acceleration and more body strength on the ball IMO.

 

[MalcolmTucker]

I'd be surprised if David Silva is quicker than Mata. Was Scholes quick? People are getting silly with this pace, pace, pace...

Silva is far more agile and has far better acceleration and I'd bet a faster top speed. Basically you're wrong.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I’m sick of having argument with people who deny that these two are deadwood, it’ll be nice if most people in here finally come into agreement that both are deadwood.

Last season, Matic was terrible. He was a ball watching midfielder. He should be the first name to be shown the exit door this season.

Mata only scored 3 league goals & 2 assists, playing either Gomes or Greenwood will give nothing worse than Mata’s end product contribution. We should just let him go for free.

The issue is that it seems Ole still rate both of them and we might end up losing lot of points before he even realise how bad they are.

IMO Mctominay should be playing over Matic all day this season next to Pogba or Fred. While Dybala (if he comes) should be playing in Mata’s role as no 10 and both Greenwood or James should be playing over Mata on the right. Gomes should be getting his game time in Europa league and cup games.

 

[Treble]

Silva is far more agile and has far better acceleration and I'd bet a faster top speed. Basically you're wrong.

I'm not. Silva is slow these days. And still a top player. This obsession with pace is getting really silly. Let's sign sprinters then and make them footballers. Pace, pace, pace. The ball can move faster than any player, as Cruyff was fond to repeat.

 

[RkkMan]

This is the fear. Ole seems to trust the experienced players and they are not good enough.

Mctominay, Dybala(if we sign him) and AWB will get a lot more game time than those 3

 

[Ødegaard]

I'd love to get Rice or Neves next summer.

 

[DoomSlayer]

I'm not. Silva is slow these days. And still a top player. This obsession with pace is getting really silly. Let's sign sprinters then and make them footballers. Pace, pace, pace. The ball can move faster than any player, as Cruyff was fond to repeat.

It's not just about pace, Silva has always been twice the player Mata is.