Connect with us

Sport

Mata only showing glimpses of talent regardless of position

Mata only showing glimpses of talent regardless of position. The best players can play anywhere on the pitch and still have an influence on the game – a rather obvious statement, but it ultimately separates the best from the myriad of the very good.

While Louis van Gaal has to take a large proportion of the blame for creating a Manchester United side bereft of dynamism and verve, but the players have to also take a long hard look at themselves, especially as an attacking force.

Juan Mata has become United’s talisman. The only ever-present member of an injury-hit squad, the Spaniard is United’s leading scorer and assist-maker, has been involved in more goals than any other player in the ranks since his arrival in January 2014, and is second only to David Silva in terms of Premier League chances created since the beginning of 2011-12 season – stats not to be sniffed at.

Yet, after commanding such a substantial fee, striding out of the helicopter at Carrington dressed to impress, with licence to turn United from sleeping giant into a force once again, we are yet to see the same Mata that was two-time Chelsea Player of the Year, amidst a plethora of top quality competition, and there is only so much his wide-right position can be blamed for such inconsistency.

“Everything passes and this bad streak will pass,” Mata proclaimed on his weekly blog, having become the spokesman of this current crop of faltering stars.

Fans have warmed to him for taking such a proactive stance, making Wayne Rooney the scapegoat for United’s lack of potency in front of goal.

Yet, over the years, Rooney has been pushed from pillar to post to accommodate the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, while still being effective no matter what role he’s been asked to fill (recent poor form aside).

Van Gaal has been urged to utilise Mata in the No 10 role, with the freedom to roam, but in reality the 27-year-old hasn’t done enough to suggest he should be allowed such a privilege. Yes, he is the best of a bad bunch, but in no way should Mata be exempt from criticism.

Mesut Ozil is a fine example of a player who took time to settle in England, and plays to his strengths, making double the assists of anyone else in the top flight – and still the doubters still pick up on his lack of workrate and ‘passion’.

Mata works hard to try to influence the game and lift United out of their rut, but neglects his array of creative instinct – he arrived as this omnipotent enganche, who could bamboozle defences with the slightest of touch and an inch-perfect pass, but instead he looks as forlorn as anyone else as United stumble towards another disappointing season.

There have been glimpses of his immense talent of course – his precision pass for Anthony Martial’s goal in Wolfsburg, his clever set piece to set up Daley Blind against Liverpool or his scissor-kick goal at Anfield last season – but it is not enough.

There is no comparison to be made, this is just taking Mata’s contribution in its own right – it hasn’t been of the required standard.

“In terms of scoring and assisting and I’m quite happy with the stats, and stats don’t lie. They are facts,” Mata said in October, and he is right – 1.6 key passes per game is not the return you want from a then-club record outlay. Ozil has made three times as many.

His presence in the public eye may be pulling wool over the eyes of United’s hardcore, but their chants fall on deaf ears in the Directors’ Box.

“Who’s the greatest player in the Premier League,” they cry. “Not you Juan Juan, not you Juan Juan,” might soon be the reworked ending if Mata doesn’t show more of the form that made him such a popular figure down the King’s Road.

Play Colossus Bets Football Jackpots HERE

Recent Posts