Well, I have never been as big of a fan of Mata as everyone else. Having said that, I think he will do OK at United, the upside of his game (creativity) is something they are missing.
However, he is terrible defensively, and it will be interesting to see if they can afford to put him into the team, alongside a few other defensive lightweights they have.
Mourinho obviously thinks that Mata will not help them much, or enough let's say. I thought Felliaini would be better for them, but that hasn't turned out too well, so I really don't know how Mata will do.
I have this growing belief that United's problem, is more of a mental one and less of a matter of tactics and players. I say often that Football is a thinking game and a game about decisions and I just feel that Moyes is struggling to create the atmosphere required for good decision-making at United.
He may have been fine at Everton where winning was less expected and sixth place was considered good. At United winning is expected and he seems to be having problems inspiring the players to play freely and without tension. When they get in a good position in a game, they seem to tighten up and play like they are petrified they are going to make a mistake. Of course that usually means that they do make one.
It is something we don't see much as Arsenal fans. Our problem is usually the other way, in the past our players were so busy having fun, they forgot there was a game to win. That seems to have changed this season.
I am a big believer that the manager is the key to success and Moyes, IMHO, is the issue at United. I don't think Mata is going to make a big difference, just like Felliaini didn't. I could be wrong, but they need a really big Ozil type signing to restore their confidence and swagger, not someone who will be low on confidence himself, after being rejected by the special one. I guess the hope is that he will come in with a slugger's attitude of "I'll show those bastards!"
I think Wenger's a genius and I think he knew that Ozil was a best signing for Arsenal mentally, even if perhaps a striker would have been better tactically. It turned a page and set an attitude. United need something like that, and Mata isn't that type of signing.
That's why I really oppose changing anything too much with signings. We are flying right now, and adding something to the equation, that demonstrates a lack of belief in the current squad may not be what is required. A hard search that tells our players, "I looked hard, but you guys are so good, it is tough to find someone that improves us", may be a better message than, "I don't think we are good enough to beat Chelsea and Man City, so I bought this guy who is sitting on the bench and can't get into their first team. It probably will not help much, but oh well, anything is better than you."
The second message seems to be the one Moyes is sending to his players.
However, he is terrible defensively, and it will be interesting to see if they can afford to put him into the team, alongside a few other defensive lightweights they have.
Mourinho obviously thinks that Mata will not help them much, or enough let's say. I thought Felliaini would be better for them, but that hasn't turned out too well, so I really don't know how Mata will do.
I have this growing belief that United's problem, is more of a mental one and less of a matter of tactics and players. I say often that Football is a thinking game and a game about decisions and I just feel that Moyes is struggling to create the atmosphere required for good decision-making at United.
He may have been fine at Everton where winning was less expected and sixth place was considered good. At United winning is expected and he seems to be having problems inspiring the players to play freely and without tension. When they get in a good position in a game, they seem to tighten up and play like they are petrified they are going to make a mistake. Of course that usually means that they do make one.
It is something we don't see much as Arsenal fans. Our problem is usually the other way, in the past our players were so busy having fun, they forgot there was a game to win. That seems to have changed this season.
I am a big believer that the manager is the key to success and Moyes, IMHO, is the issue at United. I don't think Mata is going to make a big difference, just like Felliaini didn't. I could be wrong, but they need a really big Ozil type signing to restore their confidence and swagger, not someone who will be low on confidence himself, after being rejected by the special one. I guess the hope is that he will come in with a slugger's attitude of "I'll show those bastards!"
I think Wenger's a genius and I think he knew that Ozil was a best signing for Arsenal mentally, even if perhaps a striker would have been better tactically. It turned a page and set an attitude. United need something like that, and Mata isn't that type of signing.
That's why I really oppose changing anything too much with signings. We are flying right now, and adding something to the equation, that demonstrates a lack of belief in the current squad may not be what is required. A hard search that tells our players, "I looked hard, but you guys are so good, it is tough to find someone that improves us", may be a better message than, "I don't think we are good enough to beat Chelsea and Man City, so I bought this guy who is sitting on the bench and can't get into their first team. It probably will not help much, but oh well, anything is better than you."
The second message seems to be the one Moyes is sending to his players.
