Juan Mata’s Manchester United debut wasn’t a standout performance, but his presence on the pitch could be felt all around Old Trafford. He lifted everyone from the fans to the players, there was a different feeling around the Theatre of Dreams last night – a confidence that hasn’t been there in a while.
Our record signing gives us a real hope at making the top four this year, and without his vision, technique, and the ability to create goals I believe its something we’d have struggled to achieve. He hadn’t featured since New Years Day until last night, and yet he still created more chances than anyone else on the pitch despite not being fully match fit.
The little Spaniard finds those pockets of space in-between the opponents midfield and defence. He tries to find those killer through balls that we’ve often struggled with in the past. He had a hand in the opening goal and his mark was made within five minutes. He played an excellent 40-yard pass out wide to Patrice Evra who then crossed the ball into the box which led to Robin van Persie’s goal. He also walked away with an assist, after passing the ball to Ashley Young before he lashed one straight into the bottom corner.
He also looks like he enjoys his football, and he’s one of those few players that just seem to ‘get’ United, similarly to Robin van Persie and Patrice Evra. You could tell that the ovation the crowd gave him when he was subbed off after 80 minutes meant a lot to him. These players will always have that extra special place in my heart because they know how much it means to us fans, they know that we’ll back them through the good and the bad times. Thats what makes United so special.
A front four of Mata, Januzaj, Rooney and Robin van Persie is truly frightening, and I’d go as far as saying its now the best front four in the Premier League. Although the rest of the team does need a bit of work – particularly in the centre of midfield and the left-back area. We should have enough to now go on a run, and really challenge Liverpool and Tottenham for that final Champions League spot.
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