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2018-19 Performances


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5.3 Season Average Rating
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32
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6
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Dve

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Agreed and it seems Ole is desperate for him to stay, which greatly concerns me and tells me Ole will be more of the same as the previous managers and gone by this time next year.
Ole is keeping him to add experience to a young squad. And by the sound of it, his importance will be on the training ground more than on the pitch.

“Juan is the ultimate professional and one of the most intelligent players I have worked with. He is a great example to our younger players in his approach. He understands what it means to be a Manchester United player and has embraced everything about this great club. As well as everything he brings on the pitch, we have some fantastic young players here and I know that Juan’s vast experience will help them to reach their potential over the coming seasons."
 

Shark

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Ole is keeping him to add experience to a young squad. And by the sound of it, his importance will be on the training ground more than on the pitch.

“Juan is the ultimate professional and one of the most intelligent players I have worked with. He is a great example to our younger players in his approach. He understands what it means to be a Manchester United player and has embraced everything about this great club. As well as everything he brings on the pitch, we have some fantastic young players here and I know that Juan’s vast experience will help them to reach their potential over the coming seasons."
I like Mata, but come on, can Ole genuinely say with a straight face that any of these players truly understand what it means to be here? Ole won everything here, with players that would have died for the badge on the pitch. This lot don’t give a flying feck, even when they embarrass themselves at home to dross like Cardiff on the final day. They’ve been all talk and no action and it’s been allowed to fester over the past 6 years and is now continuing under Ole.
 

Chesterlestreet

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This lot don’t give a flying feck, even when they embarrass themselves at home to dross like Cardiff on the final day.
Well, in fairness Mata would be one of the few I'd actually think does give a feck.

What that amounts to - how much it's worth for someone who clearly shouldn't be a starting man for a proper challenger - is another matter but if I were to rebuild a team, I might consider keeping him around as a veteran with the right attitude.
 

Dve

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I like Mata, but come on, can Ole genuinely say with a straight face that any of these players truly understand what it means to be here? Ole won everything here, with players that would have died for the badge on the pitch. This lot don’t give a flying feck, even when they embarrass themselves at home to dross like Cardiff on the final day. They’ve been all talk and no action and it’s been allowed to fester over the past 6 years and is now continuing under Ole.
Understanding what it means to be a United player, that you "get" United, etc, most of that talk is bullocks anyway. Koulibali would suck the first season, because he hasn´t figured out the United way yet? I doubt it.

In Mata´s defence, though, he did run more than any other United player last season. Just a shame he runs so slowly. But after all, a decent squad player - although I wouldn´t like to see him as a regular starter, and there is always a possibility to sell him next summer, and actually get some money for him.
 
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gavdim2002

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Good job that we are keeping classy people like Mata around to balance out idiots like Lingard at our club.
 
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Tom Cato

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Jan 3, 2019
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Since Juan Mata is now signed again, and everyone are unhappy about Jesse Lingard being on social media, I find it prudent to post this here so everyone can see what kind of person we have signed to the club.

Because we are going through difficult times, it is of the greatest importance to me to extend my commitment to @manchesterunited. It is also the right time for me to say loud and clear that the feeling of being a Manchester United player is something very special. Unique. I am really proud and excited to sign a new contract, and will keep trying my best to help bring the club back to where it belongs. ⚪⚫❤ #MUFC

Taken from Mata's instagram account on the day of his signing

I find it worth noting that he no doubt had offers or at least strong indications from clubs in a better sporting position than Man United, but chose to remain with the club despite of those. He got his 2 year term, but he'd have gotten that elsewhere as well, especially in Spain.

I'm delighted that we got to keep such a stand up person in the squad, and I'm positive that the youngers the club bring in will have a fantastic rolemmodel to look up to.
 

Ace of Spades

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Since Juan Mata is now signed again, and everyone are unhappy about Jesse Lingard being on social media, I find it prudent to post this here so everyone can see what kind of person we have signed to the club.



Taken from Mata's instagram account on the day of his signing

I find it worth noting that he no doubt had offers or at least strong indications from clubs in a better sporting position than Man United, but chose to remain with the club despite of those. He got his 2 year term, but he'd have gotten that elsewhere as well, especially in Spain.

I'm delighted that we got to keep such a stand up person in the squad, and I'm positive that the youngers the club bring in will have a fantastic rolemmodel to look up to.
You can question his effectiveness, but you can't question his work ethic. A model pro, and as a player, one of the best things about him is that he is very rarely injured. Always available, certainly not like some players who spend more time out injured than on the field.
 

criticalanalysis

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Apr 12, 2015
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I find it worth noting that he no doubt had offers or at least strong indications from clubs in a better sporting position than Man United, but chose to remain with the club despite of those. He got his 2 year term, but he'd have gotten that elsewhere as well, especially in Spain.

I'm delighted that we got to keep such a stand up person in the squad, and I'm positive that the youngers the club bring in will have a fantastic rolemmodel to look up to.
I'm not trying to be cynical but apart from China/MLS, can you really say he would have it 'better' in other leagues and in other teams?

He's being paid very very well, in a settled club (as in his 'rank' and position in the squad), with little pressure to perform playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world with fans that love him. Any other challenge would require him to deliver on the pitch, prove himself to new team mates and a manager, who would probably expect some serious return where he would definitely be shouldering more responsibility.

At his age, physical condition and competitive drive, at best he would be a star in a struggling team or likely just another squad player in a team, where he won't be as 'loved' or 'comfortable' as he is here. A year or season of that and he would fade into obscurity.

Here he can play in half (?) of the games and contribute off the bench yet still be a big fecking deal because of the clout of being a Utd player.

Being a Utd player is cushy and there's no doubt about it imo.

That's both a damning indictment of the way the club is run and also a praise to the unique family like atmosphere Fergie left behind.
 
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Patrick08

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Mar 30, 2018
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Now that we have kept him, will be a decent Europa league player till December. Then I don't expect him to play after February in business end of the season.
 
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