When Juan Mata signed for Manchester United, many supposed he would walk straight into the starting lineup under then manager, David Moyes. The Spaniard then had won Chelsea's player of the year twice in succession due to his unique ability to make and score goals. The Red Devils at the time boasted of the likes of established names such as Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, and promising academy talent, Adnan Januzaj, among others. Mata, did walk straight into the starting XI, but it came at a cost, the diminutive Spaniard had to sacrifice his most effective position. This was due to the club captain Wayne Rooney 'acquired traits' of playing behind the main striker. With Van Persie or Hernandez upfront and Rooney occupying the 'number 10' role, the then 25-year old had to be shunted out wide almost all the time.
Mata is an intelligent footballer who finds pockets of space in and around the penalty area. He is too slow to act as a winger so what he does is to mostly drift inwards and deliver intricate passes into the paths of strikers or players within scoring positions. The only time Mata played as a number 10 under David Moyes was against Newcastle. He only played there because Rooney and Robin Van Persie were both injured. You know how he performed right? Two goals and one assist capped off a terrific performance from the then 26-year old as United won 4-0. His beautifully curled free-kick into the top-right corner broke the deadlock. His second goal was all about his calmness and composure as he slotted the ball home after Hernandez had hit the post. And his classy, back-heeled assist for Januzaj goal was a glorious combination of his vision and awareness.
The experienced Dutchman, Louis Van Gaal, succeeded Moyes after an impressive outing with the Netherlands in the World Cup. He is a man who believes in philosophical and intricate methods of achieving success. The Dutchman sought to infuse his style into the Manchester United team, the possession game and the 3-5-2 formation that thrives with wingers and full backs making runs to and fro the pitch. The change in management didn't cause much difference to Mata's situation. The little Spaniard was mostly deployed on the right wing of play, unable to make his presence felt in a position which clearly doesn't suit him. Though he cut a frustrated figure more especially because he had not adapted to the wings, Mata managed to be directly involved in 13 goals in Van Gaal's first season (9 goals, 4 assists). Nonetheless, that was his lowest contribution to a team in a full season since he burst onto the scene in the English Premiership.
This season (2015/16) started with Juan Mata earning a starting berth in all 13 matches under Louis Van Gaal. He has impressed largely because he has adapted quite well to his 'wing role'. He has mastered the artistry of acting as a false winger or false number 10. His timed infield runs have ended up creating more chances for the likes of Martial, Rooney and others to pounce. However, As good as Mata has been this season (5 goals, 4 assists), just imagine how unplayable the Spaniard will be in his favorite number 10 position. Mata's wonderful flick assists against Wolfsburg came from a central position. His perfectly weighted ball for Januzaj winner against Aston Villa also came from one of his darting infield runs. Where was this brilliant fellow when he made that gorgeous square pass for Depay's goal against Sunderland? In the middle of the attacking third, where he thrives. I could go on and on but I guess by now you see the point I am driving at.
Mata exquisite flick for Smalling's goal against Wolfsburg.
Mata might be displaying an enviable work-rate down the wing, one that has surely impressed Van Gaal, but the point is Mata's ability to influence a game is restricted on the wings. The fact that the Spaniard has to defend on the wings is one of the limiting factors. It's well documented that Mata has defensive frailties, something which caused him to lose his starting berth at Chelsea. As a winger, he was the has to cover for Darmian, a task he doesn't quite well because of darting runs to the middle and slow ability to track back, leaving the Italian international horribly exposed. Alexis Sanchez took full advantage of this fact and fully decimated Darmian at the Emirates stadium on Sunday. But the effects of Mata in-wards runs is another topic that I will address on another day. But imagine how Mata would stretch defences to breaking point with his exquisite vision and great passing ability in a position where he has limited defensive responsibilities.
It has become worrisome to say that many Manchester United supporters globally are worried about the LvG’s refusal to play one of his most priceless assets in his natural habitat especially when Rooney is performing poorly. Some have also remarked how you will get the best out of someone if you keep twitching and playing them out of position. Others sighted the failure of a certain Angel DI Maria, who couldn’t adapt under the tutelage of LvG because he was continually played out of position. For Juan Mata, a player who will most definitely like to play on a more regular basis, he wouldn’t care if it means he has to play out his favorite position. But that will come at a cost to the club and coach who will not get the desired results expected from Mata.
Where does this gem fit, is his talent wasted or he needs to adapt to a new trend?
No comments:
Post a Comment