Tanvir Juneja
As we all have come to know that Juan Mata is likely to stay at Old Trafford through the forthcoming season, there are utterly slim chances of him making the cut each time Mourinho’s men line-up to validate their contention for the championship. The way the Red Devils plan to take the turf as Jose Mourinho tactically orchestrates a new team exploding with big players in the likes of Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba sends the Spanish midfielder’s prospects of starting games at an all-time low. Not to forget, his relationship with Mourinho at ex-club Chelsea was one no player would like to remember. As aloof as Mourinho had been towards Mata at Stamford Bridge is something like Wenger’s equation with his trophy cabinet.
Despite the fact that Mata was sold to United for £37.1m by the Portuguese manager himself when he was at Chelsea, Jose could still give him a role to play at Manchester United as the all-important No. 10 in what appears to be a vital position as the fellow midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger seems to have already played his last encounter in the United jersey finding himself outside of Mourinho’s 26-man squad.
Mata was brought on only to get substituted back at Wembley three minutes before the whistle to bring in the new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, giving him a play time of just 27 minutes in a switch some would call rather “embarrassing” for a player with the caliber of Mata. So with Mourinho who seems confident going ahead with Captain Rooney as No 10, and Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial preferred to Mata on the wings, add to that the arrival of fiery talent Mkhitaryan and United’s former love’s return Pogba plus a world boss in Zlatan, it is hard to see where Mata fits in amidst this power-packed core. He must have this season bypasses already or would hope to be a sideline go to man for Mourinho if nothing more.
Apart from being a bit of a story in anticipation to the brand new season, his rapport with Mourinho at Chelsea is what is making the majority of headlines as per the Manchester United player SEO is concerned. From being named in the PFA team of the season while at Chelsea to going out of the club unexpectedly when he was doing well attacking-wise having provided 25 assists and 18 goals, a more than decent return in a side that finished sixth and third to an exit from the club within a matter of six months is how Mourinho dealt with the playmaker back then. It’ll be interesting to see what brews up between the two at Old Trafford now when the situation demands cups, championships and glory.
BEST ADVICE FOR MATA:
– “To think about his future as positively as possible. Resorting to soft gestures like smiles, thumbs up, applauding, etc. when put on the spot by the club or the manger or the fans alike to counter Mourimho’s decision of not playing him. Taking criticism in the right spirit and abiding by his best game at all stages. Patience is the key, really for Mata now. To have him being embarrassed by the boss is something that even Cristiano Ronaldo must’ve been through. So gotta keep that head held high son and keep making it count by scoring those elusive free kicks or set-pieces. Doesn’t matter if there is a Pogba or a Ibrahimovic in the squad. You were there when the Red Devils had Falcao and Di Maria too. Just stay focused and hit it off with the new boss cause he for sure is here to stay if you’re not.
Be friendly! ;-)”
