JUAN MATA’S TIME at Manchester United has coincided with the club struggling to come to terms with the post-Ferguson era.
Signed by David Moyes in January 2014, the Spaniard had to wait two months for his first goal as everything around him seemed on the verge of collapse.
Finally and inevitably, the fall came.
Within two and a half months of moving to Manchester, the man who brought him there was sacked and it was all change again.
In Ryan Giggs’ first game as temporary boss – a home clash with Norwich – Mata was dropped to the bench.
But, his introduction on the hour mark led to a two-goal performance and helped United to a 4-0 win.
From his final six league games of a debut campaign, Mata scored six times. He finally seemed to be finding his feet.
In Louis van Gaal’s first campaign as manager, Mata had to come to terms with the arrival of Angel di Maria but still managed to start 27 times in the league, scoring nine times and adding a further four assists.
Van Gaal favoured Mata on the right-side of an attacking trio in a 4-2-3-1, something that provided the Dutchman with the ‘balance’ he craved. And he was the game-winner, the difference, on a number of occasions.
His favourite game in a United shirt was the 2-1 victory at Anfield, when he scored twice – his second – a magnificent scissors-kick to the far corner – seemed a defining moment in his career at the club. The craft and guile he was known for at both Valencia and Chelsea was firmly displayed in his new surroundings – and against the most bitter of enemies for good measure.
That day, in the glaring sunshine on Merseyside, Mata was superb. Every touch was impeccable, his patient and intelligence crucial in United dominating such a crucial away fixture. And his dynamic with compatriot Ander Herrera was magnificent.
Against Manchester City, there was another goal, another win and another hugely impressive individual performance.
And this term, he’s continued where he left off last term – as a massively influential member of this United side under van Gaal.
While the manager continuously toys with his midfield combinations, deals with injuries in defence and tries to figure out his best striker options, Mata has been an ever-present, scoring three times in seven league games and already off the mark in the Champions League group-stages.
There have already been two sensational moments involving Mata so far – one was the finishing touch he provided to the staggering 45-pass move as United went 3-1 up against Southampton.
The other came against Wolfsburg last night.
Like Mata’s finish against Liverpool, the flick to tee-up Chris Smalling for what proved the game-winner, was a refreshing moment of creativity.
Van Gaal’s United haven’t exactly been a thrilling, exhilarating tour-de-force. Instead, their games have been built around control, a slow and painful asphyxiation of their opponents and that’s why Mata’s goal against Southampton thrilled van Gaal so much.
But, what Mata proved last night (and it’s why Anthony Martial is already being lauded by fans and analysts alike) is that there’s still space for individuality in United’s side. For van Gaal, he’s suspicious of the individual because there’s a risk that a player’s arrogance will get in the way of the bigger plan and system.
But Mata seems to bring just the right amount of magic.
There were plenty more moments that impressed last night too, especially as he drifted inside and dovetailed with Rooney and Memphis in particular.
Mata really should’ve had a goal early in the first half when his left-foot curler from the right channel was heading straight for the top corner before Dante threw himself at the effort and headed clear.
There was a lovely cameo to change the direction of the play in the opening period – a neat back-heel before Wayne Rooney swept a ball wide to Martial. The attack should’ve led to a goal but Rooney wasted the chance – failing to hit the target with the goal at his mercy.
Later, it was Memphis’ turn to miss a glorious chance as Mata curled a superb pass right onto his forehead but the youngster failed to find the net when he seemed certain to score.
Mata teed up Memphis again later in the first half but the Dutch attacker’s strike was beaten away by Diego Benaglio. As United grew weary in the second half, dropping deeper and squandering possession, Mata didn’t create much.
Still, his stats were exceptional and the official Uefa figures showed a pass completion rate of 95%. This season, Mata has a 90% pass completion rate in league games – that’s higher than Bastian Schweinsteiger though van Gaal still rates the German as United’s ‘best possession player’.
But what Mata is providing this term is more than just passing.
According to WhoScored.com, he’s conjuring 2.6 shots per game in the league this season – that’s the highest he’s ever recorded by some distance. Perhaps that’s a sign of how much he’s enjoying his role as a prominent member of the team and the confidence he has as a result.
Back in 2013, Mata managed 12 Premier League goals and a dozen assists too while in his second season at Chelsea.
If he keeps up his current form, he’ll beat that number and enjoy his best ever campaign in English football.
