Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is willing to sacrifice Juan Mata, in order to buy players that fit his footballing blueprint. He is well within his right to do so.
Reports suggest that van Gaal is ready to get rid of the Spanish playmaker, with Catalan giants Barcelona interested in the former Chelsea man.
Juan Mata is possibly one of the most unlucky players in the last few years. The best player at Chelsea for two seasons but doesn’t fit Mourinho’s mould, so he is sold.
Joins Manchester United, has a good second half to the season with six goals and five assists in 15 games, (Squawka) but is now rumoured not to fit the new managers plans.
But I can understand how van Gaal sees it. He has a year or two maximum, to get this average side back into contention for major honours and he needs to do it his way.
Unfortunately, for Juan Mata his way includes only one playmaker role and that is going to be filled by Wayne Rooney. There are those who say Mata could be used outwide like this season.
But in the Dutchman’s 4-3-3 formation, the two wide positions are occupied by fast and direct wingers only.
If this proves to be the case, what next for Juan Mata? During his time at Chelsea he was an absolute magician with his left foot and it would be a real shame to see him leave the Premier League.
I can’t see him moving to another European country apart from Spain. He would certainly be a player that would fit in perfectly with Luis Enrique and Barcelona.
I'm sure can gal is adaptable in a few formations. He's playing 3 at the back with Holland at the minute. Just because he HAS played with 4-3-3 in the past doesn't mean that will be the only formation he's going to play. Traditionally, United Olay 4-4-2. What's to say he won't stick to that thinking? After the huge outlay paid for Mata, they'd have to recoup that to even want to think about selling him
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