Yes, TFM's pass a bit heavy, but instead of shaking his head and looking disgusted, maybe he should've tried to control it better and even then should've just got on with the game. That's my opinion.
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 37
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 7
- Yellow cards
- 1
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Question for everyone, which teams in the prem could Mata sustain a starting spot at all season?
Could he do that at Everton, West Ham etc?
Could he do that at Everton, West Ham etc?
Any that play with 2 pure defensive midfield players.
None of them. He is not good enough for the top teams to sustain a starting place and he is way to luxury of a player for any of the bottom teams. Doesn't press enough, can't tackle, can't outmuscle anyone and he's attacking contribution relays heavily on having quality attacker's around him.
Back in the real world. Again LASK, he managed:
2 assists
2 shots on target
4 key passes
4 successful dribbles
1 through ball
10 long balls
2 crosses
When we get a player, other than Bruno who can get anywhere near that during a match, then we can let Mata go. I think we should play him in #10 position with 2 more defensive midfielders. This false winger position is stupid.
Do we put him in the false winger position so he can't be marked out of the game?
2 assists
2 shots on target
4 key passes
4 successful dribbles
1 through ball
10 long balls
2 crosses
When we get a player, other than Bruno who can get anywhere near that during a match, then we can let Mata go. I think we should play him in #10 position with 2 more defensive midfielders. This false winger position is stupid.
Do we put him in the false winger position so he can't be marked out of the game?
Against LASK. Could you even say what league they are in before this tie?
Hes fine for early stage cup games against cannon fodder but hes well off the pace of anything competitive.
Do we keep him around solely for the League Cup and the FA Cup, or do we get rid and let some youngsters take that opportunity? I know what I prefer.
That's the fantasy option. We have no youngsters who can do it. We hope to have youngsters who, one day, may do it against men.
To play youngsters right now, we should:
- go 3 goals up and then substitute on youngsters for the closing minutes
- play them when we're through as Ole did against Astana away; as he should've against LASK.
I would let lingard go and keep Mata. The opposite would be worse.
Only just watched the LASK game (really wasn't in a rush to watch what was essentially a dead rubber) and reading this thread feels like I've slipped into a parrellel universe where nothing makes sense. Because no way was Mata's performance in that match anywhere near the car crash some of you are making it out to be.
Okay, 1st half he was ineffective, as was the whole team (although he was no worse than James or McTominay), but 2nd half I thought he played pretty well. Not everything he tried came off, and there were occasional errors that would at one time have been unheard of from a player like him, but to say he was "atrocious" is a massive, massive stretch. Even aside from the two assists, he had some pretty good passes that, sure, don't mean much in the long term, but certainly don't make him deserving of the pelters he's got on here. Reading the previous page back you'd think he dropped a 0/10 performance. Someone in the match thread even said he "will never play worse than that" which is just ludicrous.
And the weird thing is, it's only on here. Almost everywhere else has ranked him as one of the better performers, even MOTM. I do agree with the poster who said that had the likes of Pogba or Bruno performed like that, there would be little to no criticism. I find on here when certain players are seen as surplus to requirements (and I'm not saying Mata necessarily has a future here, and I'm not particularly bothered if he stays or goes), everything they do is looked at negatively and any good contribution is downplayed, or even ignored.
Okay, 1st half he was ineffective, as was the whole team (although he was no worse than James or McTominay), but 2nd half I thought he played pretty well. Not everything he tried came off, and there were occasional errors that would at one time have been unheard of from a player like him, but to say he was "atrocious" is a massive, massive stretch. Even aside from the two assists, he had some pretty good passes that, sure, don't mean much in the long term, but certainly don't make him deserving of the pelters he's got on here. Reading the previous page back you'd think he dropped a 0/10 performance. Someone in the match thread even said he "will never play worse than that" which is just ludicrous.
And the weird thing is, it's only on here. Almost everywhere else has ranked him as one of the better performers, even MOTM. I do agree with the poster who said that had the likes of Pogba or Bruno performed like that, there would be little to no criticism. I find on here when certain players are seen as surplus to requirements (and I'm not saying Mata necessarily has a future here, and I'm not particularly bothered if he stays or goes), everything they do is looked at negatively and any good contribution is downplayed, or even ignored.
Man Utd 1:0 FC Copenhagen
Game changer.
Really good sub. Helped unlock the defence, and should of scored himself.
Youth this and youth that... But sometimes you do need a bit of experience. Great cameo from him.
(not saying youth is bad, but yeah)
(not saying youth is bad, but yeah)
Changed the game, fair play to him. Well done.
Comfortably the 2nd best player on the pitch. can easily be argued that he was he was the best player as well, considering Martial was pretty average till around 60-65th minute.
Guess the thread wouldn't be that active for the next few days.
Guess the thread wouldn't be that active for the next few days.
Great sub by Ole
But Gomes should be ahead of him
Fantastic cameo.
My MOTM, even though I'm not convinced with him anymore he was basically the difference today. Turned on the match.
Still class, even if his legs are failing him these days.
Helped us win the game. He has a brilliant football mind.
Too bad age has caught up on him. Really like the guy.
Too bad age has caught up on him. Really like the guy.
Great asset to have against the smaller teams that like to park the bus. I say keep him for 2 more years as a squad option. Plus he's a really good influence in the dressing room for the young lads.
Mata surprised me tonight. I thought he was finished but when he came on he really made a difference. I hope he can continue to rollback the years.
Fair play, was the difference tonight.
Superb impact sub today.
Chelsea Mata, where did that come from ha ha
He still got skills.
Great sub performance. Should have been on earlier. Should maybe have scored, but his movement was nice to see. Pass and move the way you want and expect from a top side.
2 more years! He was good tonight but no he needs replacing by someone with working legs
I love the man, unhealthily so at times, but MOTM over Martial?
Made all the difference in the end.
Decent performance from him today, nice touches.
Coming on against Copenhagen, who have already played 90 minutes, is unfortunately Mata’s level now.
Coming on against Copenhagen, who have already played 90 minutes, is unfortunately Mata’s level now.
He’s kind of opposite of Bruno. Bruno tends to play risky passes where Mata keeps the game ticking. His short passing his very intelligent and he still has ability.
Love this man. Would like to see both him and Bruno on the pitch together more.
Good cameo by Juan.
when The game slows down he’s ideal.
when The game slows down he’s ideal.
You can never fault his effort whenever he plays even if the quality isn't consistently there anymore.
Makes us tick second to none.
If only he was 10 years younger....
If only he was 10 years younger....
I can kind of understand it (even though I agree Martial should be MOTM). Martial's level was better, but Mata changed the game.
Rashford needs a rest, we should play diamond with him top of it. Bruno right, Pogba to his favorite left and Martial with Greenwood as CFs. Would love to see it.
Considering Rashford's form and Mata's recent cameos, I wouldn't be opposed to moving Greenwood over to the left and starting Mata next game.
He links up well with Pogba, Bruno and Martial, and, hopefully, he can just add a bit more composure to us as a team in general. Plus, having a fresh Rashford off the bench isn't a bad option.
He links up well with Pogba, Bruno and Martial, and, hopefully, he can just add a bit more composure to us as a team in general. Plus, having a fresh Rashford off the bench isn't a bad option.
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