Who needs Sancho 
8
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 18
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 0
-
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.
- Status
Still has a place in the squad. Some games he'll look miles off the pace physically which I expect with his build and age. But such a classy and intelligent player. One of the only players in our squad that will pass and make a good run, him and VDB are similar in that aspect. Man of the match today.
Class interview too.
A really really nice performance. Have always said that he still has something to offer, and games like this show that. He moves wonderfully well after making a pass and makes himself available to receive a pass, which just makes the game easier for the team.
You can tell he enjoys playing with our better/more technical players, like Bruno/VdB etc... Generally looks a lot better with them as opposed to the performances alongside Andreas/James /Lingard where they're more just runners.
Also he ran a shit ton tonight. Was up and down that right side constantly.
Also he ran a shit ton tonight. Was up and down that right side constantly.
Slow legs - quick brain.
Seems to be playing with a bit of a bite to his game, he was up and down the right and digging in a lot more than you would usually see. Was also quality when he got the ball.
At 32, surely we can get another two seasons or so out of him? Offers so much more as a squad player than James/Lingard. Two games in the cup, two goals and one assist, and 2 MotM awards. Can't argue with that.
At 32, surely we can get another two seasons or so out of him? Offers so much more as a squad player than James/Lingard. Two games in the cup, two goals and one assist, and 2 MotM awards. Can't argue with that.
Cracking performance. Best player on the pitch tonight. Love how he drifts across the centre of the pitch, adds numbers to our left side. It created Ighalo’s chance in the first half and Mata’s goal in the second.
SuperJuan tonight. You love to see it.
We should never sell him... but also rarely play him... just keep him on in a quasi meet and greet mascot capacity, like a boxer at a Vegas Casino... Every new player instantly gets on with him, and he usually manages to convince them that we’re a much better footballing side than we actually are in the early stages, before they inevitably realise aren’t playing League Cup level sides every week ...
He’d probably take a pay cut just to stay on as the worlds first player-cum-ambassador-cum-blogger role? Worth a shot at any rate
He’d probably take a pay cut just to stay on as the worlds first player-cum-ambassador-cum-blogger role? Worth a shot at any rate
Last edited:
An idiot on Twitter complaining that he only puts in decent performances against rubbish sides... as though losing against rubbish sides wasnt the reason we didnt finish higher last season and a good many players didn't perform at all in those games, players who we generally expect more from.
It was mentioned when he signed his contract that we were looking for him to take up a role at the club once his career was over, which sounded similar to the "director of institutional relations" role Emilio Butragueño had at Madrid. Which makes sense because frankly who wouldn't want Juan Mata representing them?
He defended a lot more than I anticipated. One thing I noticed was that he did not play much on the flanks either. Maybe that is why he was able to play so well today. He passed and moved a lot more too. To me the MOM today. I thought he was slow but today he wasn't or was the Brighton player so slow?
Annoying thing is the first tweet is still so on the money, we never saw the same player Chelsea had
One of Oles failings (sorry, don't want to turn this into an Ole bashing thread) is not properly utilising his squad. Mata is a good option to bring on when we're struggling against tightly packed defenses! He just never does it though!
We’ve never played him in the same way Chelsea did.Annoying thing is the first tweet is still so on the money, we never saw the same player Chelsea had
One of the tweets is right, he’s a throwback player. Would have been sensational 20 years ago.
Mata is rarely in this kind of form though. But on current form he should absolutely be on the bench.
Pass and move, such a simple rule but not all players do. Players like Kagawa and Herrera got good understanding and played really well with Mata before and now there is VDB.
Ole likes run all day players and chose Perrera and Lingard over Mata. Yes, he has his obvious weaknesses but his quality is never in doubt. When so called hardwork without brain players offer nothing but frustration, Ole needs to trust more to players who have technical abilities and allmost every time he plays, the team seems to play better.
Ole likes run all day players and chose Perrera and Lingard over Mata. Yes, he has his obvious weaknesses but his quality is never in doubt. When so called hardwork without brain players offer nothing but frustration, Ole needs to trust more to players who have technical abilities and allmost every time he plays, the team seems to play better.
His movement in the final third is arguably the best in our squad. When he’s on his day he will bring out the best in clever passers like Bruno and VdB. I’d like to see him get more minutes in league games where we’re struggling to break teams down.
Magic man Mata, i wished he was used more, such a great player when he gets on the ball and in a rhythm
And yet we are moving Perrera on and Mata is starting ahead of Lingard?
The guy never fails to make goal contributions when he plays, and he looked sharp tonight. It still annoys me how dreadfully slow and weak he is when we are on the break, but he's vital in games like this where we lack final third quality and I love watching him in those spaces.
Nice goal, good little run out.
Yep, a make up the numbers guy with the right attitude and he can still have an impact refreshing bodies this season.
Technically just so reliable. You know he’s going to do the right thing when he gets the ball. Same with VDB today. The problem with Mata has obviously been physically; he isn’t very strong and isn’t very fast. However, he seemed to have a bit more fire about that side of his game today.
I've been a critic of his and I worry when I see his name on the team sheet. But it was great to see him play so well tonight. Very pleased for him and he could have an important supporting role this season.
Mata should play with Bruno and VDB, it would be nice to see a chain of that one touch passes.
Mata now has 13 goal contributions (5G+8A) in his last 15 starts for Utd. Pretty valuable player to have in the squad.
Class tonight just like last week, showed exactly what you need from your back-up players.
Mata does better when he plays with other smart players like DVB today.
We often threw him with Lingard and Pereira and thus the ensuing shitshow.
We often threw him with Lingard and Pereira and thus the ensuing shitshow.
We've ruined his career with us by surrounding him with dumb players.
Great performance from him. Been very critical of him in the past, and thought he'd now reached the point where it was pointless keeping him in the team.
But if he can keep up this level of performance, he could be a useful option of the bench.
But if he can keep up this level of performance, he could be a useful option of the bench.
What was the celebration about after his goal? 
Still a very intelligent player, hope he keeps this form up. Seems to be playing with a bit if energy and bite, hope this form continues for the season.
It was harsh how he didn’t get more of a look in at the end of last season, considering he’s more talented and hard working than the majority of the squad.
Think his reputation here has been tainted by the period when he ran that right flank with Tony V - a horrendous combo.
Think his reputation here has been tainted by the period when he ran that right flank with Tony V - a horrendous combo.
Surprised he doesn't get more minutes in the PL against low-block sides, Has the craft we need. He's still one of my favourite United players of recent times.
Excellent performance from Juan last night. Been two very good performances from him in the space of a week.
Absolutely still a key squad member and really should start seeing more league minutes, especially against sides who have packed defences.
Absolutely still a key squad member and really should start seeing more league minutes, especially against sides who have packed defences.
I'm a Mata sceptic, however when he has a chance to link up with better players than the likes of Andreas he still looks good. I wasn't that impressed by him until the subs were made. However, once he had Rashford and Pogba as well as Donny to link up with his levelled up. Some signs between now and the Copenhagen game that he can still offer something to this squad.
Scored his 50th in a game where he was fantastic. Excellent touches, silky passes, turned up everywhere, helped the defence, and even scored a lovely goal. MOTM.
Lovely stuff.
He's like a new signing.
He's like a new signing.
- Status