GARY NEVILLE BELIEVES Juan Mata does not fit the “philosophy” of Manchester United, but would improve the club’s top-four chances.
The Chelsea playmaker has cut a frustrated figure at Stamford Bridge this season after starting 11 of his side’s 22 Premier League games.
United manager David Moyes has reportedly bid £40million for Mata in an attempt to reinvigorate the team’s flagging hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. The defending Premier League champions are seventh, six points adrift of Liverpool in fourth and 14 behind leaders Arsenal.
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Neville – who spent his entire 19-year professional career at Old Trafford – originally told Sky Sports that he does not believe the Spaniard fits the traditional mould of a United player, but believes he could provide fresh impetus to the squad.
He posted via his official Twitter account: “My quote – ‘Does he fit with what I would call the typical philosophy of Manchester United?’ I would say no. Not he won’t fit.
“Positives of signing a player like him are obvious- lift everyone (spark), creativity, knows PL (Premier League), 4th place chances go up – fantastic player.”
The 38-year-old had questioned where Mata would play should he join United, suggesting Moyes would have to employ a new system.
“The first question, I think, is where are you going to play?” He said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show. ”Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are up top if they are fit so where are you going to play him? Are you going to play him off the left or off the right?
“We’ve seen (Shinji) Kagawa play off the left, we saw Kleberson play at times off the left, we’ve seen (Juan Sebastian) Veron at Manchester United move to the left because you can’t play central midfield.
“Maybe they have to change the philosophy and maybe that’s what David Moyes is thinking. Maybe he wants to play narrow wide players and maybe a three in midfield.”
Neville: Mata would improve United's top-four chances
GARY NEVILLE BELIEVES Juan Mata does not fit the “philosophy” of Manchester United, but would improve the club’s top-four chances.
The Chelsea playmaker has cut a frustrated figure at Stamford Bridge this season after starting 11 of his side’s 22 Premier League games.
United manager David Moyes has reportedly bid £40million for Mata in an attempt to reinvigorate the team’s flagging hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League. The defending Premier League champions are seventh, six points adrift of Liverpool in fourth and 14 behind leaders Arsenal.
Neville – who spent his entire 19-year professional career at Old Trafford – originally told Sky Sports that he does not believe the Spaniard fits the traditional mould of a United player, but believes he could provide fresh impetus to the squad.
He posted via his official Twitter account: “My quote – ‘Does he fit with what I would call the typical philosophy of Manchester United?’ I would say no. Not he won’t fit.
The 38-year-old had questioned where Mata would play should he join United, suggesting Moyes would have to employ a new system.
“The first question, I think, is where are you going to play?” He said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show. ”Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie are up top if they are fit so where are you going to play him? Are you going to play him off the left or off the right?
“We’ve seen (Shinji) Kagawa play off the left, we saw Kleberson play at times off the left, we’ve seen (Juan Sebastian) Veron at Manchester United move to the left because you can’t play central midfield.
“Maybe they have to change the philosophy and maybe that’s what David Moyes is thinking. Maybe he wants to play narrow wide players and maybe a three in midfield.”
What do you think?
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