Juan Mata | Match Discussion thread 2014/15

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He was better today and fairly decent in the first half, he looked up for the fight. Faded in the second half.
 
He was better today and fairly decent in the first half, he looked up for the fight. Faded in the second half.
 
Thought he did well in the first half and offered a good link, but I still don't think he tries to influence things enough. Rooney offers a lot more at 10 for me.
 
Didn't do enough with the ball apart from that lovely pass to Di Maria early on which was a great bit of play and would have been an extraordinary goal but work rate was high, he and Fellaini worked really well at limiting the amount of influence Matic and Fabregas had on the game, Matic seemed to have more space and time when Mata went off.
 
Crystal Palace - 8/11/2014

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Nearly got a 2nd too. Not the first time he's made a good impact from the bench. He's clearly got goals in him too. Given Januzaj's form, could be in for a start against Arsenal.
 
Can't see him getting many opportunities if we stick to this formation. More likely to get games in a diamond with Rooney up top, but at the minute it's Rooney or Mata so it's hard for him.
 
Hull City - 29/11/2014

Probably his best performance of the season so far. He was more direct and speed of passing was quicker. You can tell he and Herrera enjoy playing in the same team.
 
Much improved performance from him. It's going to be difficult to drop him if he keeps this up. Van Gaal will have a difficult choice to make.
 
Southampton - 8/12/2014

Think tonight was probably the first time against tougher opposition where he's been more imposing on the game. Very good partnership developing between him and Herrera. Neither are guaranteed starters but a partnership will help their cause.
 
Liverpool - 14/12/2014

Quiet first half, much better in the second. Brilliant pass to Rooney then assist to van Persie. His numbers are incredible for someone that can be on the periphery of games.

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Rarely gives it away either. He's hard to drop when he's producing goals and assists.
 
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Not surprised by the stats. Mata's output is incredible, it's the one thing missing from Hazard's game.
 
Those goal tallies include penalties. Don't think Mata has scored one but pretty sure Hazard has had a few.
 
Aston Villa - 20/12/2014

Offered little to connect midfield to attack. Maybe doesn't help that Rooney and Fletcher always go wide.
 
Newcastle United - 26/12/2014

Fantastic today. Strange how he can go from being ineffective in away games to being very effective at home.
 
Excellent performance, very instrumental.

In the Premier League this season:

Home:

700 minutes
4 goals
3 assists
100 minutes per goal/assist

Away:

440 minutes
1 goal
0 assists
440 minutes per goal/assist
 
Tottenham Hotspur - 28/12/2014

Was my MOTM today, thought he played very well and didnt get knocked off the ball as much as usual
 
His best game away from home and also the team's best performance away from home. Well the first half anyway. Tiredness was a problem for pretty much the whole 2nd half. On another day we could have been talking about a 3-0 win.
 
He was excellent. He attempted riskier passes and was more influential as result. Arguably his best performance for United.

He has been my man of the match in the last two games. More of the same, please.
 
Thought he was stronger on the ball too. Perhaps something he's been working on. Unlucky not to score with the free kick, should have done better with the chance from open play though, did fall on his weaker foot though.
 
I wasn't ecpecting him to have a good game but he was my motm. Maybe helped by better movement upfront now.
 
Best showing in a United shirt for me. Has been getting the ball in more of the right areas lately, so perhaps the better movement up top has helped in that sense.

Will be interesting to see where they will all fit in when Di Maria gets back.
 
Yeovil Town - 4/1/2015

Had a positive impact on the team's performance in the second half.

He has played well over the last month and deserves to keep his place in the team.
 
Interesting that Mata's performances have improved, similarly Van Persie's performances have improved. The 2 of them are in the top 4 of our squad for most minutes so perhaps their performances have improved because they understand the philosophy more. Rooney, Valencia, Young, Carrick, Di Maria, Rojo, Jones and Fellaini are next on the list, De Gea is top of course.
 
Southampton - 11/1/2014

Our best attacker and he looked the most likely to create or score. It's a shame his finishing was off.
 
Tottenham Hotspur - 15/3/2015

Seemingly a choice between him and Di Maria for a starting spot. Mata starts next week on form but seems like he took a knock today, Di Maria's pace may also win him a place next week anyway. Superb performance from Mata, know he was out on the right today but also some encouraging signs that a midfield 3 of Carrick-Herrera-Mata could work, seemed to work really well together.
 
I'd like to think that Mata would retain his place (if fit) after today's performance. It's been said countless times before, but he really does link well with Herrera. He also played with a bit of fight and desire.
 
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