Juan Mata to Manchester United: Luxury buy or a value addition?

After the epic debacle, that was the penalty shootout against Sunderland, David Moyes and Co are back to square one with nothing in the name of titles feasible. Right now, the only aim for Man United is to rally to a 4^th place finish. In keeping with that aim in mind, they have made their first big signing of the season, Juan Mata, the creative attacking midfielder from Chelsea. While Mourinho may have talent aplenty, for their attacking band of three, Moyes can only count on the unpredictable Wayne Rooney as the only big threat in their attacking quartet. Shinji Kagawa has failed to adapt to the system and Antonio Valencia is a hulking bulldozer with all the sharpness of a blunt knife. Let us examine where he could fit into the team and what he brings to the table.

Right Wing

Though Mata is not a traditional winger, he has consistently been used at that position as is the norm for a playmaker in Premier League. You need not look any further than David Silva to be sure of this point. With that, the 4-4-1-1 would turn into a much narrower 4-2-3-1 with the two wingers playing in inverted roles. What this surely would mean is another inquest by United in their search of a quality fullback. This would also mean the end of Valencia’s permanent role on the right wing. As long as Rooney remains in the playing XI, Mata would be shunted to the right side. And, Mata is an upgrade over Valencia any day.

Central Attacking Midfielder

The last few matches have already proved that Adnan Januzaj is still inexperienced to properly play the No 10 role in Rooney’s stead. Kagawa could be the answer but Moyes simply doesn’t have any trust in him, as proved by his inexplicable decision to sub him out for Valencia against Sunderland. In such a scenario, Mata would be the perfect player to play as the man behind the striker. What this would mean is the end of Kagawa’s chances as a No 10 as well as his career in the red jersey.

Mata’s lack of defensive capability

The main reason behind Mourinho’s insistence on playing Oscar instead of Mata is the lack of defensive awareness in Mata. However, that is simply not an issue at Man United as all of Carrick, Fletcher and Jones belong to the defensive side of the game. At United he will not have to track back as much as Mourinho would have demanded. His only duty would be to pitch in, in the midfield and guide a few passes up the field from there.

Free kicks and creativity

Man United have already identified central midfield as their area of concern, and Mata simply does not solve that, so is he a panic buy? The answer to that concern would be the last match that United played. Except for Kagawa, there was simply no United player on the pitch with anything creative to offer. They were in fact something they never had been under Ferguson – dull. Even if Mata may look like a RVP style luxury buy, his creativity and inventiveness simply cannot be overlooked. Add in his free kick taking abilities and you have a player who could very well be the man to launch the late league assault.

Mourinho’s shrewdness

Jose Mourinho had already made his position on Mata very clear. Even after that, he managed to hold on to the Chelsea player of the year for half the season, releasing him only after playing both their matches against United. In the process he has given United the necessary ammunition to bite his rivals. And a price of 37 million pounds only sweetens the deal even further for him. Talk about business shrewdness, he is the ‘Special One’ indeed.