There have been speculations that Juan Mata will most likely departure from Old Trafford once Jose Mourinho replaces Louis van Gaal as the manager.
The Spanish international footballer wasn’t needed by Mourinho at his time in Chelsea despite winning Chelsea’s Player of the Year title twice consecutively.
The same trouble will be witnessed at Manchester United between the two. Mourinho is known to be picky with his teams and can bench any world class player if that player doesn’t match his style of play.
Juan Mata has been a key player at Manchester United and is also one of the most experienced ones around at the club. It will be very tough to get his replacement.
However, United can consider the following players who can do the Spaniard’s job.
- Riyad Mahrez
The Leicester City midfielder has taken the footballing world by storm after his exceptional performance this season for the Foxes. The Algerian international has majorly helped Leicester City reach the top of the Premier League. Mahrez has scored 16 goals this season, creating 47 chances and 11 assists.
Style of Play:
Mahrez is good at dribbling and can get past defenders to create chances or score goals himself.
He is good at through passes and has shown his ability and accuracy for that.
Riyad Mahrez can also tackle well to win the ball.
The reason why Jose doesn’t fancy Mata is because Mata is too slow, too small and lacks physicality. Against Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield in the Europa League Mata was the perfect example of footballing roadkill as the game completely ran over him.
If you are going to identify replacements then first you need to consider whether there are players in the ranks good enough. With a front line of Martial, Rashford, Rooney (playing the 10 role) and Lingard (with Herrera also in the mix), United have the basis of a good front line.
Furthermore the last position United need reinforcements for is the
number 10 position where Mata aside they have Rooney, Herrera, Lingard,
Rashford, Fellaini, Memphis, Januzaj and even Martial to cover dependent
on needs. Mata can easily be defined as surplus to requirements. In fact United could let three potential No 10’s go and still have more than enough cover.
In addition the idea that players who will get Champions League with their current club (e.g. Mahrez & Eriksen) are available is laughable. Mahrez is contracted until 2019 and Eriksen is close to signing a new deal which will keep him at Spurs even longer. Their clubs have no reason to let them go at any price. As for Payet whatever West Ham’s Euro involvement next season, at 29 (not 27) he’s too old.If you are going to name players they need to be realistic options (the right age
, in a team not in the Champions league or with their contract running out looking for a move)
Anyway United do not need a direct Mata replacement. There are plenty of players already at the club to fill the role. Whats the point of chasing players you do not arguably need?
United would be better occupied seeking another experienced striker who will not set back Rashford’s and Martial’s development (e.g. Zlatan, Higuain) a quality central midfielder to take over from Carrick over the next season or so ( e,g Pogba) and an experienced central defender (e.g. Hummels but it won’t be him) to partner Chris Smalling. Otherwise United just need to improve the quality of the squad although in a number of positions that seems to be achievable by promoting academy players (Cameron Jackson, Varela, Pereira, Fosuh Mensah etc).