How will Mata fit in at Manchester United?

Article by Lee Beevor

Follow e-Chelsea on Twitter here!
Follow e-Manchester United on Twitter here!

After Juan Mata was finally unveiled as a Manchester united player, my thoughts turned to how exactly his signing would help the fallen Champions. As a Chelsea supporter, I am well aware of the immense talent that they have acquired. He is among the best playmakers in Europe, a fact recognised by David Moyes, as he used that very word in Juan’s arrival interview. But how will he integrate the Spanish maestro into United’s first eleven?

I have no doubts in terms of Juan’s ability of the boost he will give to United. I am still a touch puzzled by the transfer, given the manager’s usage of Kagawa this season. He too has earned a reputation as a creative No.10, but has not been trusted to fulfil this role with any regularity. Instead, he was mainly utilised on the wing in a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1, neither of which suited his talents. In the second half at Swansea, he was allowed a rare opportunity behind the striker and his influence grew, with his intelligent prompting and high pass completion conducting the team’s offensive affairs.

It is obvious Kagawa’s time at Old Trafford is effectively at an end, as nobody spends £37.1 million to strengthen their substitute’s bench. Mata occupies exactly the same areas of the pitch as Kagawa and if fit, will always be selected in preference. Nevertheless the Kagawa scenario and Moyes’ incompetence to date precludes me from completely dismissing the possibility of Mata being erroneously employed as a winger.

However, because of the huge investment, a club record, it makes sense that Moyes will accommodate Mata in the position in which he thrives. This suggests a formation of 4-4-1-1, or perhaps 4-2-3-1 as used by Moyes in the Capital One Cup defeat to Sunderland. Either way, Mata can take his place as the creative force in No.10 role, behind a single striker. If fit, this presumably would be RVP, which means a move into midfield for Rooney and Wellbeck. Both are comfortable and potentially influential as attacking midfielders, so this is a possibility.

It could be this signing gives a clue as to the likely outcome of the ongoing Wayne Rooney situation. If Rooney refuses to sign a contract extension, he will inevitably depart in the summer. I would suggest Mata’s purchase is at very least, a hedge against this eventuality. If so, it will mean RVP is forced to stick around, even if there is no Champions League football, as he is contracted until 2016. If Rooney stays, he can play in front of Mata and RVP allowed to move on. Alternatively, a flurry of goals and assists from Mata could see United sneak fourth place, keep everybody happy and attract the stars Moyes desires to the club.

Personally, I think for this season it is too late to expect too much by way of improvement. As such, this translates to no top four place and farewell to Rooney. This leaves the existing personnel slotting neatly into a 4-2-3-1, with Wellbeck and Januzaj either side of Mata. This removes totally United’s customary reliance on wingers, which is as well, given the lack of quality of those currently on the books. All in all, I think the transfer will prove to be a good one, with Tuesday night’s home fixture against Cardiff expected to provide the first glimpse of Mata. Both Manchester United supporters and the beleaguered Moyes will be hoping this heralds a new dawn for the club.

© e-Football 2013 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football