By Dave Marshall
Manchester United got over a difficult week by beating Bournemouth 1-0 at Old Trafford to maintain our second spot on the table. We had lost an ill-tempered Manchester derby just last weekend and needed a win over Eddie Howe’s team to beat off the chasing pack from catching us in 2nd place.
Romelu Lukaku registered his 9th Premier League goal of the season, but chose not to celebrate the strike as he has been criticised by sections of the fans and pundits alike after his anonymous performance against City last time out.
The star of the show was Spanish magician, Juan Mata who constantly troubled the defence of the Cherries time after time. The player was left out of the derby as Mourinho felt he didn’t have a physical presence to negate City’s football. His current contract at Old Trafford expires next summer and there have been no major talks to extend his stay in Manchester.
Fans have taken to popular social media platform, Twitter ,to express their marvel at his performance. He left Lukaku with the simplest of tasks to score in the 25th minute. Below are some of the best tweets about his display.
Mata should be playing central Lingard/Martial pace should be let loose on the wings! Mata likes runners and he’s the best option for creativity on the field right now #MUNBOU #MUFC
— El Jefe Rey (@RocBoiJJ) December 14, 2017
Against the smaller teams Mata should start IMO. He's got the creativity to give those key passes#mufc
— El Chapo (@manutdjunk) December 14, 2017
Seeing all this shite about David Silva, He’s not great at all Mata is far better and more influential
— Gaz (@GazZzaMUFC) December 13, 2017
Just felt tonight was very flat why play matic and mctominay in the same side exactly same player and if your not gonna play mata in middle don’t play him at all no good on wing #MUFC
— Jordan Sagar (@Jordan_sagar93) December 13, 2017
Sloppy in possession. Mata superb. #MUNBOU #MUFC
— MaRz (@TheRealMaRz92) December 13, 2017
We always look more dangerous with Mata on the pitch #MUFC #MUNBOU
— #BlessedKid (@khalisle_05) December 13, 2017
Mata has not always been a favourite Mourinho with both men having a storied history at former club, Chelsea but the 29 year old Spanish international has always been the model professional with his attitude, commitment and willingness to give his all whenever he is called up to perform.
He joined United in 2014 in a £37m deal and has won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup in his time at Old Trafford.
Comment…Pogba needs helper in order to take control over the midfield.
U have been at the sauce. Mata better than Silva. A man who doesn’t head the ball, doesn’t tackle and 19 out of 20 passes are either backwards or sideways. Although he had an assist he is not a United player.&
I would rather see Herrera as an attacking midfielder.
Juan mata is a good player deserve first place