FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED star Ryan Giggs believes Juan Mata has earned the trust of manager Jose Mourinho for his performances this season.
The Spain international was sold to United by Mourinho when he was Chelsea manager in January 2014, and his future at Old Trafford was called into question when the Portuguese took over from Louis van Gaal this year.
Mata was furious when he was substituted in the Community Shield win over Leicester City just 27 minutes after being brought on in the second half, but he has gone on to establish himself as a key component of Mourinho’s side and scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
And Giggs, who was United assistant manager under Van Gaal and a coach under predecessor David Moyes, believes the 28-year-old is thriving in the current set-up.
Asked if Mata had earned Mourinho’s faith, Giggs told Sky Sports: “I think he has, and rightly so. He is a very good player and a brilliant professional.
“The key to Juan being effective is getting the legs around him. He has a footballing brain and when you have Antonio Valencia overlapping, Marcus Rashford in the channels, the energy of Ander Herrera and the power of Paul Pogba, then it makes it easier for him because he doesn’t have to do the running, which he can do.
“His number one position is number 10, but he’s done it [played wide] for so long. He played off the right for Chelsea.”
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I’m sure Sweden’s current strikers who got them there are delighted.
Just when you thought he couldn’t become more unlikeable,
Disrespectful to his fellow pros and arrogance beyond belief!
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: We’re all just speculating. What’s the view in Sweden I wonder?
@Mike: No matter what way you look at it Mike he’s taking a seat on the plane that he didn’t earn, no Swedish player is going to call him out over it though because he has legendary status over there, he was a fantastic player for them over the years but this is unfair.
@Mike: Studying abroad and have met a lot of swedes and they would all welcome him back. He’s a hero in their eyes, the greatest ever swede.
@Caoimhin O’Murchadha: Any player in the squad earns their place. He’ll hardly be the only player to not feature regularly or at all in qualifying to be in a World Cup squad.
They’ve qualified purely down to the fact that he wasn’t there. They’re a team without him.
I’d never wish an injury on any sports player, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a few of the Swedish strikers might be getting a few voodoo dolls. Absolute awful behaviour from Zlatan and from the coaching staff if they allow him.
My guess he won’t be picked
Must be a slow news day. This article was first posted at 6.15pm yesterday and the article about Man United’s loss to West Brom was posted at 5.50pm yet these are the top 2 stories on 42 this morning having been re-posted. Bad journalism. You need to do better.