The technical midfielder has played for Manchester United for six years. He made 249 appearances for the team and contributed 48 goals and 42 assists. Last summer, Manchester United and Mata renewed their contract to 202 1, and the 32-year-old veteran was able to continue writing his legend at Old Trafford. Although the playing time has plummeted, Mata is still the backbone of Manchester United. He is not indispensable, but he is still vital. Let's talk about Mata and see what else he can bring to Manchester United.
After Mourinho took charge of Shuaiyin, Mata's appearances were somewhat reduced because Mourinho was not interested in such technical players. Last season, he started 16 times in the league, but this season, he only started 8 times. Although he is no longer the regular main force, as a 32-year-old veteran, Mata still has relatively stable playing time, which is not easy. As a technical player, even if it is not compatible with the team's style of play, his characteristics can always play a key role in some cases.
Mata's personal characteristics are very distinct. His footwork is very delicate, he rarely loses the ball when controlling the ball, and he has excellent pitching ability. This is a typical Spanish style player. In the past six seasons, Mata's passing success rate was above 86%, and the passing success rate in the frontcourt was 78%, reaching 85% at the highest. However, the average passing success rate and forward passing success rate of Manchester United are only 82% and 75% respectively.
Thanks to his excellent passing and ball control ability, Mata's overall situation is excellent, and his ability of direct insertion, penetration and free kick is also outstanding. In addition, he is a low-key, hard-working and positive attitude, and a player like him can be loved everywhere. He can play the front waist or the right wing in Manchester United's 423 1 formation, which can enhance the ball control and organization ability of Manchester United's frontcourt.
However, Mata's weakness is also very obvious. His breakthrough ability and speed are poor. In the past few seasons, his average number of passes is about 0.5, and at the same time, his direct scoring ability is also lacking. Except for the good free kick technique, the shooting efficiency is low. In the past three seasons, his average number of shots is less than 1 time, while his number of shots is less than 0.5 times. On the defensive end, Mata has poor physical confrontation, insufficient stealing ability and little defensive contribution.
Therefore, it is difficult for this typical Spanish technical team to become popular in the Premier League. Although Mourinho prefers experienced old players, he also requires his players to be strong, fast and, more importantly, make great contributions to defense. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer prefers young players. In his tactical play, speed and strength are crucial. And these are not what Mata can bring. So, what can Mata bring? Let's keep watching.
Mata's main position in Manchester United is the right winger, which is only James besides him. James has strong breakthrough and speed ability, but judging from his performance this season, he is not good at cooperating with his teammates, and sometimes he goes his own way, which makes it easy for the team to lose the ball. Mata has his own role in this position, although he lacks speed and strength and makes little contribution to defense.
1, Mata +B- fee
After the arrival of B fee, Manchester United's frontcourt attack did improve. However, as a rare technical player in the frontcourt, B- Fee needs to undertake many important tasks of organizing and combing the attack, and Lingard and Pereira may leave the team. In high-intensity and intensive competitions, Mata can be a partner of B fee or a reasonable rotation.
First, the delicate footwork of the two men ensures sufficient ball control rate in the frontcourt; Secondly, Mata, who likes to cut inside, relieves the pressure of B-fee to a certain extent, while B-fee just likes to seek passing and cutting cooperation with wingers. With Mata, he can safely pull the edge and insert it forward; Third, Mata is competent for the front waist. In domestic cups, such as the FA Cup League Cup, he can reasonably rotate the B fee to ensure the thickness of the lineup. In the recent Europa League and FA Cup, Mata and B- Fee partnered three times. The team scored 13, and their partnership was remarkable.
In the first leg of the Europa League against Bruges, B- Fee, who came off the bench, had contact with Mata. Unfortunately, Mata was offside this time.
In the second round, the two started together and had a tacit understanding. Facing the opponent's intensive defense, B- Fei accurately passed the ball to Mata, who assisted ihalo to score. This is the way Manchester United need to play football.
Previously, against strong teams, Manchester United's defensive counterattack was usually very effective, but in the face of the bus formation of weak teams, it was difficult for Manchester United to find a breakthrough in the all-round siege positional warfare. Too many draws this season are due to the lack of excellent passers and delicate positions.
2. Mata+Wan-Pisa Card
Wan Pisaka has a balanced attack and defense, excellent dribbling and speed, and strong offensive attributes, which can enhance Manchester United's offensive firepower on the flank. However, in 423 1, he has no contact with winger James, who likes to break through, preferring to eat the bottom line rather than cut in, which limits the role of Wan-Pisaka on the offensive end to some extent.
Where's Mata? His delicate footwork, his pitching ability, his favorite habit of cutting the ball and his excellent ability of protecting the ball all give Wan Pisaka on the same side more room to play on the offensive end. This is what Manchester United can try next season, giving the offensive end more possibilities.
3. Amazing play
Manchester United beat Norwich 4-0 in the 22nd round of the league this season. Mata started and played the whole game. He contributed two assists, and his performance was particularly amazing. There were 82 touches and 7/kloc-0 passes, and the passing success rate was 90. 1%. His organizational role on the offensive end is crucial.
In the 27th minute of the game, his inside pass accurately assisted Herford to take the lead.
Then, he broke the ball in midfield and passed it directly to Mashal, but the latter didn't seize the opportunity. Although Mata didn't have much playing time, his state didn't decline too much, and he even played amazingly.
1, leadership position
In Manchester United, apart from Romero, 33, Mata, 32, is the oldest. He is a veteran of the team, with numerous honors and rich experience. Now Manchester United is in the reconstruction stage, and the team is almost all young players. At this time, a player who speaks with weight and can shake the locker room is particularly important. Teammate Daniel James once said that Mata is my most respected player, but he has some unusual positions in the team.
2. Attitude on the court
Some players in Manchester United's formation are not active enough, and Mata's high banker and emotional intelligence set a good example for the team.
Last season, against Seville in the Champions League, the team fell behind, and the opponent got a single-handed ball in stoppage time. At this time, Manchester United players have given up chasing, and Mata, a veteran who is not fast, is still desperately defending. This is an example and a leading role. In any team, you need such players.
3. Thickness of lineup
Although Mata's style is different from today's Manchester United, his ability has not dropped significantly. Capable of multiple positions, he can provide Manchester United with the thickness of the bench. At present, Manchester United have not signed the right wing position, and Lingard and Pereira are likely to leave the team in the front waist position, leaving only a B fee. Mata can play as a regular substitute and rotate appropriately in the domestic cup.
Although Mata has no physical advantage, his career is rarely plagued by injuries. In 20 16/ 17 season, he missed 29 days due to groin surgery, and in 20 18/ 19 season, he missed 20 days due to hamstring problems. Besides, he is almost always healthy. To ensure such a high attendance rate and reduce the salary when renewing the contract at that time, Mata is absolutely cost-effective.
Next season, Mata's playing time may continue to decrease. He is no longer a key figure in Manchester United, but his importance cannot be underestimated. This kind of technical player will be Solskjaer's backup plan, and his position and experience in the team are not only reflected on the court.
World Cup champion, European Cup champion, Champions League champion, Europa League champion … Mata has won numerous honors. And the lack of a Premier League champion. Mata's contract with Manchester United will expire after next season and Mata will leave the team. Although there is little hope for Manchester United to compete for the Premier League title next season, Mata will continue to give his all, hoping that he can end his Manchester United career more successfully here.