Crackers
greasy ginfers
Doesn't mata. He's ours now and he's been juanderful.
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but doesn't anyone else think van Gaal is doing 'a Herrera' on him? Previously known as 'a Sneijder' for Dutch people.
Before the worldcup, van Gaal said in an interview he was going to CHEER! (he yelled) at the line if Sneijder would capture a ball, and even left him out of the selection a couple of times. At the worldcup Sneijder defended more than ever and ran more kilometers than he's ever done - at age 30! He followed special training in his own time to become stronger, fitter and started to defend much more.
Herrera was also very attack minded and got left out for a while, he's more naturally gifted when it comes to defending but he was in the wrong places. He learned him some defensive ways to play as 8.
In the last matches on the wing (where defending is less important than in midfield) we saw Mata tracking back, making tackles and winning the ball. Van Gaal said he left him out for the balance of the team, this would be the defensive balance. He will never be great at defending, but in our possesion style putting pressure on the opponent is just as important - Mata could easily do this. I think we will see Mata defending more and more as the matches go by.
I have a hunch feeling, that since we're getting a new CM (who will probably be good defensive wise - quote me on this), Mata could even play in midfield next season. He's great on the wing too and van Gaal loves multifunctional players, this way he doesn't need as big of a squad either (which he likes).
Fair enough! Suffice it to say, I think we'll all lose it if he scores a decisive goal against Chelsea.
I don't know man, I don't even remember making that post before you quoted it.
I bet Oscar has more fouls feigned.
Mourinho done f*cked up.
Of course mata is better going forward. That is obvious. But I'd like to see the stats for distance covered and defensive contribution as well.
Mourinho done f*cked up.
This stuff just seems so obvious to me. Throw in goals against Pool and City and I just do not get it. He performs when it matters and consistently.
Mourinho done f*cked up.
I don't know about a direct comparison, but Mata is very often in the top 3 distance covered in our games.Of course mata is better going forward. That is obvious. But I'd like to see the stats for distance covered and defensive contribution as well.
Yeah he had to mark his territory and make a point that he's got more control from Roman this time around.Mourinho is just a twat. He kicked Mata out just because he could and wanted everyone to know he could.
Nice interview.
Indeed, it'd be wonderful. Another performance like the one we seen at Anfield would be immense.Fair enough! Suffice it to say, I think we'll all lose it if he scores a decisive goal against Chelsea.
To be fair to Mourinho, the theory was that he didn't feel Mata did enough without the ball. Would need to compare their defensive stats to see how that panned out.
Mourinho done f*cked up.
On Talksport this morning it was rumoured that he was going to get rid of Oscar for exactly the same reason he got rid of Mata.To be fair to Mourinho, the theory was that he didn't feel Mata did enough without the ball. Would need to compare their defensive stats to see how that panned out.
For the same reasons? Whenever I have seen Oscar for Chelsea he has worked tirelessly but produced nothing else. I certainly wouldn't be shocked if Mourinho got rid of Oscar to bring in another CM though.On Talksport this morning it was rumoured that he was going to get rid of Oscar for exactly the same reason he got rid of Mata.
He's been playing 360° football. Moving in all directions up and down the pitch. Incredible stuff.From that article;
'Mata is one of seven players to run over 30 kilometres in United’s last three games. However, having been withdrawn late on in the 4-2 win over Man City, he’s actually covered more ground per minute than the other six. More than the hard-running Ander Herrera. More than the fleet-footed Antonio Valencia.'
Not too shabby.
Just shows you what can be achieved if a manager can see you have talent and will give you time to fit into his system. That is good coaching, a willingness to nuture someone.He's been playing 360° football. Moving in all directions up and down the pitch. Incredible stuff.
Exactly... Hazrd is awesome, but after him... right now... Carzorla or Sanchez would not be terrible picks... and other than that it is Mata for me. But back to the original Chelsea quandary... if you had to pick between Oscar or Mata, who would you pick?The only attacking midfielder I'd have over him in the league right now is Hazard. Other than that, he's a cut above in current form.
And this.From that article;
'Mata is one of seven players to run over 30 kilometres in United’s last three games. However, having been withdrawn late on in the 4-2 win over Man City, he’s actually covered more ground per minute than the other six. More than the hard-running Ander Herrera. More than the fleet-footed Antonio Valencia.'
Not too shabby.
Seriously goals in big games... most distance covered.... assists all the time...Perhaps it is simply time the wheel turned once again for Mata. Certainly during the past three months it has been possible to question the Mourinho-ish vogue for insisting the one quality attacking midfielders must have above all others is defensive discipline. For one thing Mata’s defensive frailties are perhaps overplayed. He will never be a tackler but under Van Gaal he has made more interceptions per game than Cesc Fàbregas, Oscar, David Silva and Mesut Özil. Willian has made marginally more tackles (by 0.2 per game) and been dribbled past 0.3 times fewer. Against that, Mata’s passing accuracy is better and despite playing less than Willian he has been directly involved in twice as many goals. At which point you start to wonder exactly which of these two attacking midfielders is failing to do some vital part of his job.
It was awful for them IMO. More of a knee jerk decision then anything, though they got a fair price. Ignoring the price though, Mourinho would have been far better off if he stuck with Mata and got him to work in his system, instead of going with Oscar who is half the player for me...If I recall, Joe-Say's excuse for selling him was that Mata didn't track back as Oscar does. Not sure how valid that is, but the stats clearly don't back up the idea that the transfer was good for Chelsea.
For all the attention after the derby win over Manchester City on Fellaini and Young, a lot of the credit has to go to Mata. He has given United such composure. He is not a winger, in the conventional sense, but he comes inside and gets involved in the game. He always passes to a red shirt and he is so cool, as you saw with his finish against City.
Exactly... Hazrd is awesome, but after him... right now... Carzorla or Sanchez would not be terrible picks... and other than that it is Mata for me. But back to the original Chelsea quandary... if you had to pick between Oscar or Mata, who would you pick?
And this.
Seriously the article from a few pages back shows convincingly that Mata does work at both ends of the pitch...
http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/mar/23/juan-mata-manchester-united-louis-van-gaal
Here is perhaps the most relavent part quoted...
Seriously goals in big games... most distance covered.... assists all the time...
All I can say is... HUGS !!
Wow. I never imagined Mata as a defensive juggernaut. Really good to see he is performing defensively. Does anyone have any defensive stats of Mata now vs Mata under Mourinho/Chelsea?If I recall, Joe-Say's excuse for selling him was that Mata didn't track back as Oscar does. Not sure how valid that is, but the stats clearly don't back up the idea that the transfer was good for Chelsea.
There is always more than stats... these are just facts to consider but depending of the angle, it could mean anything and the contrary. Mata is an excellent player for United right now, he also seems to understand better what to do without the ball in the attacking and defensive phases as well, which is important.Wow. I never imagined Mata as a defensive juggernaut. Really good to see he is performing defensively. Does anyone have any defensive stats of Mata now vs Mata under Mourinho/Chelsea?
Would be great comparison to see if Mourinho's criticism of Mata is justified. Could it be man management issues or could there be more to this than just stats?
I get where you are coming from but purely "running around a lot" doesn't make someone good defensively. I would still say Mata is relatively weak defensively however he is without doubt exceptional going forward which is exactly what we need from him.If I recall, Joe-Say's excuse for selling him was that Mata didn't track back as Oscar does. Not sure how valid that is, but the stats clearly don't back up the idea that the transfer was good for Chelsea.
Yep, seemed really isolated today... constantly had to carry the ball in field to find the pass.Not as effective without Herrera near him.