Syed Shaiban
Manchester United brought their Europa League campaign right on track with an unconvincing display at Old Trafford against the team from Ukraine, Zorya Luhansk. Right from the first whistle, it was United’s domination that kept the match going. Fellaini’s pivot role alongside the much fancied Paul Pogba with Juan Mata pushing as an attacking midfielder saw United create a lot of chances but the finish which was required never came. Zorya looked like a very decent team. They absorbed several attacks but they were also quick in the counters, looking like a well-drilled team but just like United; their quality dropped in the final third and the required goal wasn’t to be seen.
While Fellaini’s only role was to recover the ball, Paul Pogba played like ball distributor, switching the ball and rotating the play at every given chance but the centre of almost every United attack setting up teammates was Juan Mata. Mata, who was given the license to play as a central attacking midfielder again rather than as a right winger, did his job very decently again. He was selfless and even his simple link ups in the attacking sector looked very good to watch. He was much more swift and quick and his vision was unmatched in the United team that played yesterday.
Statistically speaking, Juan Mata’s average passing accuracy yesterday was an impressive 92% and it just speaks volumes about his performance which was laced with efficiency, swiftness and accuracy. Only five of his many passes were unsuccessful, but the rest were to the point.
He was all over the pitch playing link-ups from left to right and even centrally, his calibre to pick out players was commendable. United’s whole team seemed dull yesterday but to bring about a little vibrancy and create chances was what Mata was doing. Apart from this, he created 2 crucial chances for United but it didn’t lead to any goal. His average passing length, according to Squawka.com was 16 metres, long balls being the majority of them that is 38 and backward, forward passes being 16 each. Furthermore, the former Valencia and Chelsea talisman chipped twelve crosses into the box, but unfortunately, the team was unable to capitalize. Talking in terms of defending; he made one interception and one crucial clearance.
There is absolutely no doubt that Mata was the man of the match in yesterday’s game even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winner. What Mata can bring centrally is a delight for any team and that’s his best position. Jose Mourinho seems to have given him that role again unlike what the player had under Louis Van Gaal. There is much of the season to look forward to and if Mata goes on performing like this, then he’ll become an integral part of the United team surely. A United fan will only hope for that.
