Mata is Crucial for United to Get Win against Wolfsburg

Trying to figure out how this United side can get that win at Germany tonight is similar to solving the fourth theory of Quantum Physics. This is a team that are void of strikers and who don't create many chances. Oh, and they are addicted to being involved in 0-0 draws.

There is a bit of hope though...and no, before you get excited, it doesn't lie in Rooney. United fans should rejoice that Rooney is out for tonight's match, as him playing would have been a major drawback. One player though is who Van Gaal should look to in order to try and steal this game tonight, and that's the crafty left-footed amigo.

Despite what some critics will say about consistency, Mata is a really good player. Smart, and someone who is very aware of the football pitch. He understands where others are and knows how to work the tight spaces. For United, he is the man that can try and set things up for Martial and Depay, to try and work out a very good and disciplined Wolfsburg defense.

Naldo is a really good defender, and dependable. Dante is an okay defender who is more than willing to make a mistake. That is what Mata needs to exploit. His instruction should be to sit in that hole and try to coax Dante out of position.

By doing that, running with the ball and forcing the Brazilian to make a decision, this can create space for Martial and Depay to head into that 18-yard box to do damage. Without Mata forcing the issue, and trying to take the game to Wolfsburg, it's going to get too tight as the German club are not going to come out to attack, as they know a draw is good enough to see them through.

Mata is not really someone who can dribble at speed, as his game is much slower. He's all about technique and creating through his talented left foot. So it's important that United's two best attacking threats, Depay and Martial, try and work with the Spaniard as between the three of them, they can open up Wolfsburg a few times. This means none of that walking speed attack that's stale and boring. There needs to be a spark to the play with the ball moving quickly to keep Naldo and Dante on their feet. Mata has to be the one enforcing this, by constantly receiving the ball and getting United going. There has to be some life to this United team, and someone has to take responsibility for orchestrating the attack. The best player at doing that is Mata, since United decided to be unsuccessful in getting Sneijder.

But is Mata up to the task of being more than just another player in the team, but being the man?


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 HH