I just don't see what Mata currently adds to the side, he is constantly muscled off the ball or fond too slow in possession
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The "mata slow things down" thing is becoming a bit of a myth on here.. imo.

When there is a ball on, he will be the first to play the quickest of one twos or fast interplays, as we have seen with him, herrera and valencia, last season. His short passing and vision are as fast paced as you get, he just needs the right players around him making clever movement.

ive never filtered Busby

Busby (U19985)
posted 51 minutes ago
I just don't see what Mata currently adds to the side, he is constantly muscled off the ball or fond too slow in possession, he doesn't seem to make too many decisive passes and has no physical attributes what so ever. He is a fantastic finisher which is about all he has proven since moving to us.

With the right players around him he's a good player, but we aren't going to build a team around him, he simply isn't good enough.

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I agree with this, I feel we just keep playing Mata based on his name and natural ability, ignoring that he needs a team built around him as you say,its why Mourinho was more than happy to sell him.

Reminds me a little of Berbatov, talented player but didn't fit the system... even though Berbatov was better in my opinion.

In an attacking mid role, or even on the wing I honestly have no idea why anyone would pick herrera over mata. Mata who has never really had the chance to do it at Utd but was truely world class in that role at Chelsea.

For an out an out CM role like he played last season Herrera is the obvious choice, but ahead of two deep lying mids it has to be Mata all day long and i seriously question anyones football knowledge and mental state if they say otherwise

I find this a bit strange cause LVG keeps banging on about creativity.
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He also bangs on about speed which would be sorely lacking if we played Herrera and Mata at the same time.

Personally, I prefer Herrera because I think he has a more rounded game. Mata can be sublime on his day with a bit of magic but Herrera more consistently does what you need a midfielder to do. While Mata is imo more talented, I think we look more balanced and creative with Herrera.

I recognise his ability and what he contributes but I also think Mata can flatter to deceive sometimes - e.g. with pretty passing moves that ultimately lead to nothing. Stats don't tell the full story but I would like to see Mata rack up more direct assists.

comment by Ron (U1646)
posted 13 hours, 34 minutes ago
Busby (U19985)
posted 51 minutes ago
I just don't see what Mata currently adds to the side, he is constantly muscled off the ball or fond too slow in possession, he doesn't seem to make too many decisive passes and has no physical attributes what so ever. He is a fantastic finisher which is about all he has proven since moving to us.

With the right players around him he's a good player, but we aren't going to build a team around him, he simply isn't good enough.

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I agree with this, I feel we just keep playing Mata based on his name and natural ability, ignoring that he needs a team built around him as you say,its why Mourinho was more than happy to sell him.

Reminds me a little of Berbatov, talented player but didn't fit the system... even though Berbatov was better in my opinion.
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Agree with all of that. It is a bit like having Berbatov on the left of a midfield three (since Berba is right footed). Except that Berba actually assisted more goals as well as scoring them.

The problem last season was that we had midfielders whose main strength was getting on the end of chances in the box - i.e. Fellaini and Mata - with nobody actually creating chances.

I know I'm oversimplifying but this is a key issue for us imo - and why I think Di Maria was a huge loss despite having a naff season.

Mata is brilliant

Herrera is a waste of a kit

But that means I would have to give this article 5 stars, and that ain't gonna happen.