27 Jul 2015 15:35:23
Juan Mata Debate
The new Kagawa or Not?
Been reading forum now for a few years and posted on and off. I remember posting regarding Kagawa a few years ago about how it's time he became a United player or end up being sold. Lovely touches, good movement and close control but despite him having all these qualities he never did enough to justify his place in out 1st 11.
I can't help think we are seeing the same thing with Mata. Another quality player who is very good going forward and superb with the ball at his feet. However in today's modern game i worry he doesn't offer enough going back the other way and is too slow in possession.
Every team now has everyone behind the ball when they loose it can't help but think we would look better with an attacking midfielder who can play both ways.
It's just a debate and would like to get peoples thoughts on him. For the record i thought he played well last night and one cross field ball with instep of the right foot was sublime.
Having said that we spent most of the evening chasing the ball and not sure he's the best at winning it back.
Looking at it from another point of view we won 3-1 so why am questioning him!
27 Jul 2015 15:39:48
Mata contributes with a very good amount of goals and assists, kagawa didn't
27 Jul 2015 16:02:46
I like Mata as a player and as a person. He seems like a genuine nice bloke.
I think that while Mata can perform a role in the position he is currently being deployed in, his lack of pace does harm the side insofar as his link up play with the full back won't be very effective. The left side is far more effective because there is more pace down that side; so the majority of out attacks comes from the left, which could be a hindrance in the long run, as teams will just set up to stifle us on the left in the knowledge that we don't have the pace on the right to exploit them.
For me, Mata should play the advanced role in a midfield three.
27 Jul 2015 16:03:58
He has done well even though he has been playing out of position.
Shifting Depay out wide and playing Mata in behind Rooney will bring the best out of all three.
27 Jul 2015 16:11:22
I couldn't agree more, Red. Mata behind Rooney or Depay would be my choice too.
27 Jul 2015 16:16:01
Kagawa though talented did not do enough for us ( also he was played out of position). He was a bit light weight and got thrown off the ball too often. Mata on the other hand has contributed a lot despite playing on the wings. He has got us many important goals and assists.
27 Jul 2015 17:30:59
If Mata plays the advanced role in a midfield three . where does that leave Herrera ?
27 Jul 2015 18:33:43
Bilko it leaves him fighting for a position in the team, just like everybody else. Mata playing behind the striker is his best position IMO it will be any 2 from BS MS MC & AH in midfield. Backed up by blind and fellaini. Any 3 from depay Mata young Pereira di Maria (I'm still hoping for bale in his place) and 1 from Rooney Wilson adnan up front.
A club with our aspirations can not go into a 55 game season with 1 senior experienced striker and if ADM IS leaving we need a top class replacement.
In a 55 season i'd bet a very large sum that not more than 5 of our squad will start over 40 games and the average will be less than 35 so there will be plenty of games for the likes of Herrera no doubt about that.
27 Jul 2015 19:52:34
i can see why you're comparing kagawa and mata for obvious reasons but mata is better is many ways (goals and assists and linking up play)
and also i felt quite sorry for kagawa in that he came from one of the most unique football teams in the modern era (that dortmund team was a special beast in the way they pressed, counter attacked and linked up with their short passes) and was never really given a proper run in the no10 postion behind van persie because of rooney (Dare i say it lol)