Juan Mata Could Be the Odd Man out at Manchester United
In the final hours of the transfer window last week, Manchester United’s fans were becoming increasingly excited about the imminent arrival of Radamel Falcao.
The Colombian striker would be a game-changing signing that would immediately transform United and shake off the malaise of the last 12 months.
However, there would have been one resident of Manchester nervously watching the news unfold on deadline day not exactly sharing the joy of the United fans: Juan Mata.
Footballers have to be inherently selfish characters; they want the best for their clubs, but not if it means them spending less time on the pitch.
The Spaniard would have been painfully aware that Falcao would provide Louis van Gaal with yet another mouth to feed up front.
A week earlier he would have already been concerned at how the arrival of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid would affect his role in the side.
Now with the arrival of Falcao as well it is looking increasingly likely Juan Mata could suddenly be the odd man out at Old Trafford this season.
Only a month ago I wrote how Mata, after being returned to his rightful position in the centre by Van Gaal, could be the key man at United this season.
But the arrivals of Di Maria and Falcao have changed everything.
Ahead of United’s game against QPR at Old Trafford this weekend it is my belief Van Gaal will ditch his 3-5-2 formation and return to his traditional and cherished 4-3-3 system.
The forward line is likely to consist of Falcao in the No. 9 position with Di Maria and Van Gaal’s former Dutch national captain Robin van Persie either side of him.
Behind them will be a compact midfield three featuring new signings Daley Blind and Ander Herrera on the edges with one remaining place in the centre.
The competition for this role is a straight fight between Mata and Wayne Rooney.
It seems inconceivable that Van Gaal will not find a place for his newly appointed captain Rooney, and so the time might be right for him to step back in to midfield.
Rooney is not foolish. He can see what is happening at Old Trafford, and possibly with England as well.
His time as a forward might be coming to an end, and with his vision, passing and work rate he could make the transition into central midfield.
But playing Mata anywhere other than in the centre behind the forward line would be a compromise and a wilful neglect of his real talents.
The Spaniard is not suited to any other position, and so he might find himself watching Van Gaal’s new side take shape from the bench.
This would be an incredible turnaround for the Spaniard who only arrived at Old Trafford in January as the club’s saviour and £37.1 million record signing.
It is an undeniable truth though that Van Gaal will find it impossible to accommodate all his attacking talents in his starting line-up this season.
And at the moment it looks like Mata will be the odd man out.
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