Ben Green
Manchester United have had a stuttering start to their 2016-2017 Premier League campaign. With four wins in 6 matches, Jose Mourinho is still figuring out his best starting XI. In particular, Wayne Rooney has come under severe criticism for his slow play which has led to moves breaking down, the English captain was dropped for United’s last Premier League match against Leicester City, which prompted Mourinho to bring in Juan Mata in the number 10 role. The Spaniard who was shown the door by the Portuguese manager himself during their time at Chelsea was excellent against Leicester at dictating play from outside the box, he even doubled United’s lead mid-way through the first half with an excellent finish.
On the other hand, Riyad Mahrez was the backbone of Leicester title challenge last season and he is another player who is excellent at driving his team forward through his direct running and trickery. Although the Algerian was by far the better creative player last season, this time around both these players have been neck to neck. Mahrez has scored three goals this season, two of them came in Leicester’s first Champions League game. Mata, on the other hand, has scored two league goals this season, which is one better than Mahrez. The Spanish international started this season on the right-wing but was shifted to a number 10 position after Rooney’s demotion to the bench. There is no doubting the fact that Mahrez is a much better winger than Mata but then that is not where the 28-year-old is at his most effective.
Under Louis Van Gaal, Mata wasn’t afforded the freedom to really get hold of the game, therefore he was unable to control play like he used to at Chelsea. However, this season Mourinho has come in and has given Mata one more chance to make his place permanent. Mourinho recently said that Juan Mata has found his “natural habitat” at Old Trafford. The former Chelsea boss believes that Mata was a good player at Stamford Bridge but at United he has become a very good player.
Talking a bit statistically, Juan Mata has completely overshadowed the term “Luxury” this time around, as he has won 59% of his average duels, while Mahrez – who has started every single game for the foxes – has only won 33%. Talking about the distribution of the ball then the Spaniard has outnumbered the Algerian here as well. Mata, so far, has averaged a passing accuracy of 89%, while Mahrez has only managed 77%, and Mata has one assist to his name as well. Well, as mentioned before, the Algerian possesses more attacking threat than Mata, but his accuracy is something he needs to work upon, as he has a shooting accuracy of mere 45%, while the Spaniard has 83%.
This season could prove to be a difficult one for the Foxes, as they are currently 12th in the table, therefore it is unlikely that Mahrez will have the same impact he had last season but on the other hand, if Mata can maintain his form then he can provide that much-needed dimension to United’s game. Mahrez will definitely still be the huge threat but without his team performing at that same level, it will be very hard for the 25-year-old to replicate last season’s form. There will be lots of clubs who will be watching Mahrez this season, in an effort to get him next summer.
