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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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Foxbatt

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I love the way you persist in mentioning this as if it were a widely-recognized truth, a consensus shared by all right-thinking United fans rather than the fantastical yearning of a certain Foxbatt....
I do not have to. People will disagree but the fact remains when you see what he does on the pitch that he is and cannot play on the right. He goes inside. We have no attack on our right side unlike our left. He is slow and when you watch the game you can see that he is the slowest at United. He gets dispossessed. Yes he has his positives but the way we play his disadvantages outweigh his advantages. The Manager realise this or else he will be starting every game.
He simply does not. The only position he starts is on the right wing. It is simply because apart from that position everyone else who plays in those positions are better than Mata.
 

jem

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I do not have to. People will disagree but the fact remains when you see what he does on the pitch that he is and cannot play on the right. He goes inside. We have no attack on our right side unlike our left. He is slow and when you watch the game you can see that he is the slowest at United. He gets dispossessed. Yes he has his positives but the way we play his disadvantages outweigh his advantages. The Manager realise this or else he will be starting every game.
He simply does not. The only position he starts is on the right wing. It is simply because apart from that position everyone else who plays in those positions are better than Mata.
So you're going by what you've seen on the field? If that's the case, why are you sold on the hypothetical that is Pereira? It makes zero sense.
 

anant

Correctly predicted Italy to win Euro 2020
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I do not have to. People will disagree but the fact remains when you see what he does on the pitch that he is and cannot play on the right. He goes inside. We have no attack on our right side unlike our left. He is slow and when you watch the game you can see that he is the slowest at United. He gets dispossessed. Yes he has his positives but the way we play his disadvantages outweigh his advantages. The Manager realise this or else he will be starting every game.
He simply does not. The only position he starts is on the right wing. It is simply because apart from that position everyone else who plays in those positions are better than Mata.
The coming inside argument can be applied to any of our players, and honestly I'm pretty sure its an instruction given to them rather than what they want to do.

Following are our players' average positions from all games where we played with a RW who wasn't named Juan Mata

Player's position in a game : https://www.transfermarkt.com/juan-mata/leistungsdaten/spieler/44068/saison/2018/plus/1#GB1

Under Mou:

vs Burnley


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Burnley-Manchester-United

vs Watford

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Watford-Manchester-United

vs Chelsea

RW: Marcus Rashford



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Chelsea-Manchester-United

vs Man City

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...e-2018-2019-Manchester-City-Manchester-United

Under Ole:

vs Cardiff

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Cardiff-Manchester-United

vs Bournemouth


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...eague-2018-2019-Manchester-United-Bournemouth


Then is the possession loss part



Nothing extraordinary here as well, although this does not include unsuccessful dribbles, which I'll bring up in the next table:



https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United

If anything, he's looses the ball less often than others.

If anything, among our front 6, his ratio of successful/unsuccessful dribbles is actually the best! Although, I do agree, stats are a bit kind on him here as he prefers to pass the ball than go for a risky dribble, which to be fair should be counted in his favour than against him!
 

jem

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The coming inside argument can be applied to any of our players, and honestly I'm pretty sure its an instruction given to them rather than what they want to do.

Following are our players' average positions from all games where we played with a RW who wasn't named Juan Mata

Player's position in a game : https://www.transfermarkt.com/juan-mata/leistungsdaten/spieler/44068/saison/2018/plus/1#GB1

Under Mou:

vs Burnley


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Burnley-Manchester-United

vs Watford

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Watford-Manchester-United

vs Chelsea

RW: Marcus Rashford



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Chelsea-Manchester-United

vs Man City

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...e-2018-2019-Manchester-City-Manchester-United

Under Ole:

vs Cardiff

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Cardiff-Manchester-United

vs Bournemouth


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...eague-2018-2019-Manchester-United-Bournemouth


Then is the possession loss part



Nothing extraordinary here as well, although this does not include unsuccessful dribbles, which I'll bring up in the next table:



https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United

If anything, he's looses the ball less often than others.

If anything, among our front 6, his ratio of successful/unsuccessful dribbles is actually the best! Although, I do agree, stats are a bit kind on him here as he prefers to pass the ball than go for a risky dribble, which to be fair should be counted in his favour than against him!
Don't you get it? Andreas is just a better player, period.
 

Ekeke

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The coming inside argument can be applied to any of our players, and honestly I'm pretty sure its an instruction given to them rather than what they want to do.

Following are our players' average positions from all games where we played with a RW who wasn't named Juan Mata

Player's position in a game : https://www.transfermarkt.com/juan-mata/leistungsdaten/spieler/44068/saison/2018/plus/1#GB1

Under Mou:

vs Burnley


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Burnley-Manchester-United

vs Watford

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Watford-Manchester-United

vs Chelsea

RW: Marcus Rashford



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Chelsea-Manchester-United

vs Man City

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...e-2018-2019-Manchester-City-Manchester-United

Under Ole:

vs Cardiff

RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...er-League-2018-2019-Cardiff-Manchester-United

vs Bournemouth


RW: Jesse Lingard



https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1...eague-2018-2019-Manchester-United-Bournemouth


Then is the possession loss part



Nothing extraordinary here as well, although this does not include unsuccessful dribbles, which I'll bring up in the next table:



https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United

If anything, he's looses the ball less often than others.

If anything, among our front 6, his ratio of successful/unsuccessful dribbles is actually the best! Although, I do agree, stats are a bit kind on him here as he prefers to pass the ball than go for a risky dribble, which to be fair should be counted in his favour than against him!

As you showed, its only Lingard and Mata who come inside. Rashford played RW in a more conventional way with more width
 

Foxbatt

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As you showed, its only Lingard and Mata who come inside. Rashford played RW in a more conventional way with more width
I agree with you. In the Newcastle game Ole could be seen trying to get Mata to stay wide. Lingard is all over the place and seems to be able to be operate everywhere and also be productive.
I know Mata is a nice guy and plays with a smile on his face and has a lot of technical abilities but to our style and the way we play in midfield, he is not productive. He cannot press. He cannot tackle and he cannot defend. So with Martial, Rashford, Lingard up front, there is no regular place for Mata. He is not going to replace Pogba, Herrera or Matic either. That is why he plays on the right only.
 

Ekeke

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I agree with you. In the Newcastle game Ole could be seen trying to get Mata to stay wide. Lingard is all over the place and seems to be able to be operate everywhere and also be productive.
I know Mata is a nice guy and plays with a smile on his face and has a lot of technical abilities but to our style and the way we play in midfield, he is not productive. He cannot press. He cannot tackle and he cannot defend. So with Martial, Rashford, Lingard up front, there is no regular place for Mata. He is not going to replace Pogba, Herrera or Matic either. That is why he plays on the right only.
Correct. And when/if he comes off the bench its nice to have him for freekicks because he usually does a good job. But he isnt one of those players who are so good at freekicks you sort of ignore how good they are playing otherwise. Its not like almost a free goal like Juninho or someone like that. Its just a very good effort and sometimes a goal.
 

Foxbatt

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Yes Eke, and we already have Rashford and Pogba who are as good if not better on the free kicks. Also Young can take a good kick too. I think in a situation where the other team has parked the bus and it is always in their half, then Mata may have his uses. But not in a game where we have to defend a bit. That is why Ole put Dalot on the right instead of Mata against Spurs.
 

anant

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As you showed, its only Lingard and Mata who come inside. Rashford played RW in a more conventional way with more width
He played there for once and that too in a game where Mou surprisingly started Mata. Maybe, it was to take advantage of space created by Alonso's forward runs?!
 

Minimalist

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Bit disappointed he didn't have an impact on the game. Definitely a better player than Lingard but didn't show it.
 

Van Piorsing

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Can't blame him for one thing. When he came on, whole team was already in a bit of a panic mode.
 

Rajma

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Ole needs to understand that Mata is not going to get the desired impact off the bench, certainly not at RW.
 

Devil may care

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I think Ole brought him on hoping he'd get on the ball and slow things down, add some composure, but he just didn't get into the game.
 

Foxbatt

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You do not bring on Mata when the other team is attacking us and we need defending. He does not bring composure simply because he gets tackled and loses possession. If the other team has parked their bus and defending for their lives, Mata will probably make a difference. He was the wrong option today. Sanchez would have been the better option.
I know he is a nice guy and gives a lot to charity and has very good technique but he cannot influence games like this and is useless to play him in these kind of matches.
 

Foxbatt

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Is that so? Any stats to back that up?
1 apiece scored while others have scored from Rashford free kicks from the rebound. Also there is no point in him coming on just to take a free kick.
 

jem

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1 apiece scored while others have scored from Rashford free kicks from the rebound. Also there is no point in him coming on just to take a free kick.
and compare that with Mata’s free kick stats.
 

jem

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No need. This is a football game. You do not bring on people to take a free kick only. You cannot sub players like that.
But you're shifting the goalposts. You said that Rashford and Pogba are better at free-kicks, and there is nothing to back up that statement, just like there is nothing to back up the statement that Juan Mata is only brought on for free-kicks.
 

Foxbatt

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I am not shifting the goal post. The only reason why Mata can come is to take a free kick. Right now Pogba and Rashford are taking the free kicks for reasons that the Manager feels that they are better at free kicks than Mata. Or else he would have taken it. The fact that Mata is on the bench and comes on only on the right side to replace whoever is playing there shows that he has no other potions he can play in this United team. Mata has scored one this season and so has Rashford. But due to Rashford's kick Lukaku has scored a rebound too.
 

acnumber9

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I am not shifting the goal post. The only reason why Mata can come is to take a free kick. Right now Pogba and Rashford are taking the free kicks for reasons that the Manager feels that they are better at free kicks than Mata. Or else he would have taken it. The fact that Mata is on the bench and comes on only on the right side to replace whoever is playing there shows that he has no other potions he can play in this United team. Mata has scored one this season and so has Rashford. But due to Rashford's kick Lukaku has scored a rebound too.
Mata has scored at least two this season. At least know what you’re talking about. And when did Pogba score one?
 

Foxbatt

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Mata has scored at least two this season. At least know what you’re talking about. And when did Pogba score one?
In football you cannot bring on players just to take a free kick. This is not like the penalty shoot out at the end of the game. Even then the substitutions have to come before the final whistle.
Mata cannot be accommodated just to take a free kick. If there is no Rashford, then Pogba will take the free kicks. He may not have scored this year but just for the sake of a free kick no team can bring on a player in case we get a free kick. That is the point. The stats who that Mata and Rashford each has scored one free kick this season in the League.
 

Reddy Rederson

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[QUOTE="Foxbatt, post: 23588337, member: 81778"]I am not shifting the goal post. The only reason why Mata can come is to take a free kick. Right now Pogba and Rashford are taking the free kicks for reasons that the Manager feels that they are better at free kicks than Mata. Or else he would have taken it. The fact that Mata is on the bench and comes on only on the right side to replace whoever is playing there shows that he has no other potions he can play in this United team. Mata has scored one this season and so has Rashford. But due to Rashford's kick Lukaku has scored a rebound too.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, ya did. You claimed rashford and pogba were better at free kicks. Then you added in being subbed to take a free kick. Thats moving the goal posts. Obviously no one thinks anyone should be subbed on just to take free kicks. So going back to your original claim that both rashford and pogba are better at free kicks than mata, present your evidence.
 

acnumber9

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In football you cannot bring on players just to take a free kick. This is not like the penalty shoot out at the end of the game. Even then the substitutions have to come before the final whistle.
Mata cannot be accommodated just to take a free kick. If there is no Rashford, then Pogba will take the free kicks. He may not have scored this year but just for the sake of a free kick no team can bring on a player in case we get a free kick. That is the point. The stats who that Mata and Rashford each has scored one free kick this season in the League.
I never said to bring him on for a free kick. You said Rashford and Pogba are better and made up stats to back it up. I pointed out they were wrong. It’s ok to just admit you were wrong you know.
 

jem

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I never said to bring him on for a free kick. You said Rashford and Pogba are better and made up stats to back it up. I pointed out they were wrong. It’s ok to just admit you were wrong you know.
It's bizarre how he's created this weird narrative about Mata's only being brought on for free-kicks. I don't think I've ever even heard that before the last few pages of this thread.
 

ravelston

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If Mata had been born with legs and a right foot he would have been one of the world's great players. But he wasn't. As it is, in a slow buildup team, he can pay his way. In a team built round pace ... not so much. Checking back and carrying the ball all the way across midfield is not a useful capability in our current team. Pity, he's a great guy.
 

Foxbatt

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If Mata had been born with legs and a right foot he would have been one of the world's great players. But he wasn't. As it is, in a slow buildup team, he can pay his way. In a team built round pace ... not so much. Checking back and carrying the ball all the way across midfield is not a useful capability in our current team. Pity, he's a great guy.
You don't need a right foot. If only he had some pace and was a bit stronger.
 

mewnew11

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Today showed exactly why we should not extend matas contract. He keeps playing those long slow curlers and doesn't have the pace to drive our attacks.

Apart from his free kicks he doesn't bring much to the game and starting him on the right is basically playing with a man less as he provides no width, comes inside and crowds out the place.
 

Hugh Jass

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Was poor on the left wing. So slow. Better in MF i thought.

Still think we need to flood the wings with speed and Mata certainly lacks speed.
 

Foxbatt

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I have been saying this from the start but some people can't see it even when it smacks them in the face. He is simply not good enough to play for a team like United now.
 

Annihilate Now!

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Played a huge part in getting us back into the game and pushing us up the field when he was moved into the center... but I'm sure everyone will ignore that and say he was crap (despite the fact that he was no worse then any of our other attacking players today... mainly because thats the narrative).

Anyway, point is he should be playing in the center when he comes on.
 

Art

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Our policy of extending the contracts of players who aren't good enough (anymore) to play for this club will be why we'll be battling for top 4 and not contending next year.
 
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