It's Official - The Juan Mata Thread

The last 4 players to sign a contract renewal at Manchester United..

• Juan Mata
• Ashley Young
• Phil Jones
• Chris Smalling

 

He just isn't good anymore. For a guy that offers absolutely nothing defensively and is only supposed to contribute to breaking down teams/unlocking bunkers he had 3 goals and 2 assists in about 1,300 minutes last year (a bit over 14 90s). That speaks for itself and he's not getting any younger.

By all accounts he seems like a great guy and I'm sure he's a positive in the dressing room but a two year deal for a guy who's pretty much dead weight on the pitch is absurd.

 

Personally, I prefer to get rid of Lingard. Lingard is the player taking away minutes from those players.

 

Lingard is 26 and more naturally suited to Ole's style of play, with his workrate, movement and speed. As he shown glimpses early in Ole's tenure (vs Tottenham and Arsenal in the FA Cup among others).
Mata can help, at a marginal level, but in a choice between both players, Lingard is clearly the one which would make sense to hang onto. The goal, in relation to Lingard, is still to find someone who can supplant him at the wide right spot and have become a squad player/spot starter, a role that is definitely more suited to his talents than a regular, lock down starter.

 

Lingard, despite is obvious limitations, is much younger and more suited to Ole's system than Mata. Lingard is a decent squad guy to have around but he doesn't belong in the starting 11 for any top side. His game is just to limited. His only real strengths are his movement and his finishing.

Mata has no real strengths anymore. He isn't a creator like he used to be and while his finishing is decent, he struggles to physically get into scoring positions anymore. That will only get worse in a team that clearly wants to focus on counterattacking with speed.

 

Apparently Lingard is 26 going on 16 based on that most recent Twitter video.

 

I could care less what he gets up to in his private life. It's the same whether it's Pogba's hair cuts or Giggs banging this sister in law.

It's what he does on the field what matters which is pure shyte.

 

I find more value in Mata than Lingard. Lingard we could cash in on him and provide minutes for someone with higher upside.

 

Mata on his role as a mentor at United.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/manches...ed-youngsters-my-job-prem-title-still-the-aim

 

✨ @JuanMata8 has been voted as our Player of the Month for September! 👏#MUFC pic.twitter.com/gKRLSXeqlV

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 3, 2020

 

Juan Mata never loses it 🪄

via @_Nick pic.twitter.com/4bdvRTy2nM

— utdreport (@utdreport) May 9, 2021

 

#mufc have offered Juan Mata a one-year contract, with a wage reduction on his last contract. United see him as a future board member, even as a sports director when his contract expires in 2022 #mulive [@sport]

— utdreport (@utdreport) June 14, 2021

 

the 'fleet-footed 'midfielder? Ha

 

Lol I saw a notification that there is a new post in the Juan mata thread. I was like "ffs we still have a Juan mata thread?"

 

It has been said that he's being encouraged to finish his coaching badges and he'll take up a position on staff (likely the academy) when he's done.

I think it makes a lot of sense if you view it as something beyond playing personnel. He's effectively a coach now. He's got loads of insight, knowhow, recent relevant experience and he's technically brilliant. We can use him as a coach and god forbid there's an injury crisis or a need to rotate heavily, he's available as part of the playing staff.

I think this is essentially what we've done with Grant as well. He seems to be more coach than player. I'm okay with that.

As long as we aren't paying Mata a lot and aren't blocking opportunities for kids, this is a great move. Not the same as giving Phil Jones a new contract.

 

Been told Juan Mata will not retire at the end of the season, it's not even an option. He's now focused on Man United and then he will plan for his future - his current Man Utd deal runs out in June. 🇪🇸 #MUFC

Mata will not join Man Utd coaching staff, it's not in his plans. pic.twitter.com/7xxVI0Q1zr

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 4, 2022

 

But that was the only reason we were keeping him around?!

 

he is going to be renewed for two more years

 

The only top league he could contribute in at this point would be Italy. Its slow enough that him being basically immobile wont be as much of an issue.

 

David Silva went back to Spain and killed it...

 

David Silva when he left City was 5x the player Mata is right now.

 

He’ll go to Spain and we’ll find out for sure. I’m sure you’ll be wrong, like the myriad of other things you’ve been wrong about the past 2 years…