19 Jun 2019 19:05:59
I really don't think Mata's new deal makes any sense. 2 year deal with option for a further year? Good influence. Good pro. Sets an example. Nice guy.
BUT: too slow for right wing, not quite good enough for number 10 and not strong/ quick enough for centre mid. And he doesn't have the speedy slick passing of Silva (s) . Nor the killer through balls of De Bruyne. Compare him to Bernardo Silva who is Mr Perpetual Motion and he is static in comparison. I just don't see the logic in paying someone to stick around and write a nice blog whenever we lose. It's another decision based on sentiment. I don't see where he fits into the team or the style of play we're told ole wants to introduce. Maybe he'll play europa league and cameo appearances from bench in EPL but I don't get it.
I hope he scores 20 goals next season and shuts me up but I doubt it.

1.) 19 Jun 2019
19 Jun 2019 19:41:07
He doesn’t have speedy slick passing or perpetual motion of Silva because our team doesn’t play that way.

The City system is quick one two passing and movement. Do we even have a system other than not trying very hard? What’s Mata supposed to do? Run around like a headless chicken as our team plod up the pitch? We already have Lingard for that job.

Mata was Chelsea player of the season as part of a midfield three that focused on moving the ball quickly. Jose came back, and Mata didn’t fit. There’s a reason Barcelona were looking at him, and it’s precisely for his experience and passing ability. In the right system, he can play an important role in the squad.

2.) 19 Jun 2019
19 Jun 2019 19:42:49
Its pretty simple to be honest, we have just lost valencia, herrera and fellaini who are all experienced pros. You can dispute their quality absolutely but no one questioned their work ethic or attitude.

Add into the equation de gea, pogba, lukaku could be off. that's a huge amount of experience to lose in one season. Mata can be a useful squad player who isn't on massive wages by todays standards and won't cause an ounce of trouble for ole.

Completely reasonable move for the club to make, its just with the lack of progress with incoming transfers and the inability to keep key players at the club, every bit of news out of united at the moment is being treated with so much negativity.

3.) 19 Jun 2019
19 Jun 2019 21:13:11
Agree with DSG.

Maya already knows he’s not first choice. He’s going to start 15-20 games a season, probably every cup game, Europa League, and fill in when players are injured or need a rest.

To find another player of his quality but younger we’d be paying £35m+.

He’s also a good egg, we need a good influence in the dressing room.

4.) 19 Jun 2019
19 Jun 2019 21:15:42
We can’t sell everyone all in one go. Mata has experience and seems to have the right attitude so it makes sense to keep him on board. I may be wrong but he is intelligent and a good communicator so it wouldn’t surprise me if they have a coaching or ambassadorial role in mind for him long term.

5.) 20 Jun 2019
20 Jun 2019 01:20:27
That would be a good move by the club I think Redman. Especially for young players coming into United from Europe and South America.

6.) 20 Jun 2019
20 Jun 2019 06:58:07
Perthredmike

Exactly, Spanish speaking, very marketable and can help attract in the future. Experience on the pitch. If we had the defence and midfield we could push up the pitch 10 yards bringing the team, defence, midfield and attack closer, less gap between the lines meaning Mata’s intricate skills would be easier to harness.

7.) 20 Jun 2019
20 Jun 2019 07:59:17
Every single player we have would play better in a team that was playing better . That is what we need to improve.
But mata seems a nice guy.

8.) 20 Jun 2019
20 Jun 2019 14:07:58
Red Man, I'm going to mark this in the diary. We agree 😁.