Midfielder’s impact a Mata of fact for Jose
THREE words were all Jose Mourinho needed when he announced Juan Mata had extended his stay at United.
“Yes, it was” he told reporters back in January when asked if United had triggered the one-year extension clause in the Spaniard’s contract.
In a world where player unveilings and contract signings have their own hashtags and glossy trailers, it was a remarkably understated revelation on behalf of one of United’s most popular players.
As Mourinho then got up from his seat, he was asked to elaborate with two quick fire questions. Time frame? “Last week.” How important was it to keep hold of Mata, who was then entering the final six months of his deal? Finally, a proper response. “Mata is important. Mata is very important. He is another one, big story when I arrived one-and-a-half years ago. ‘Mata in trouble, in trouble, in trouble.’ Now he’s getting an extension of one more year,” he added.
“An important player for me, an important player for the club, an important player for the other players.”
Although Mata was directly involved in just 10 goals last season – his lowest ever return for United in a full campaign – it is a little unfair to just judge him on goals and assists like other wingers.
That may seem a bizarre statement. Wingers’ currency is having a direct impact on games – crosses, dribbles and through balls.
But Mata, as we know, is not your typical wide player.
The 30-year-old will be the first to admit he is not a traditional winger and he never played on the right before he joined United from Chelsea back in 2014.
Rather than throw his toys out of the pram – it has been Jesse Lingard who has mainly featured in the No.10 role when United revert to 4-2-3-1 – Mata has adapted. And made an impact.
Take United’s dramatic comeback against Crystal Palace back in March. Mata came on at Selhurst Park with his side 2-1 down with 25 minutes to go.
Mourinho went for broke with a 2-4-3-1 formation which left Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof with the only defined defensive positions on the pitch.
Mata, and that brain of his, helped knit a fairly shapeless system together and the Spaniard was one of the few players who could hold on to the ball in such a frantic game and then calmly play others in.
That skillset will again be needed next season – even when Lingard gets the nod to start ahead of Mata in the bigger games. For all the talk of United targeting Willian or Gareth Bale to give them a more natural option on the right wing, it would be a welcome surprise if either were wearing red next season. Willian has had his well-publicised issues with Antonio Conte, but will surely be playing under a new manager at Stamford Bridge next season. To have any hope of landing Bale, United would have to budget accordingly – which could mean missing out on their priority targets elsewhere on the pitch. Something Mourinho would be loathe to do. Whatever happens, as always, Mata will have his part to play. Ciaran Kelly