Juan Mata signing will rejuvenate Top 4 race

“You can never write Manchester United off” This was what Sir Alex Ferguson said before the 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona when both teams were bidding to become 4-time European champions. They were the clear underdogs at Wembley at that time, and though they lost the game 3-1, thanks to an inspired performance from Lionel Messi, they didn’t give up at any time.

A managerial change of such high magnitude was always going to be tough to swallow. SAF’s retirement did leave a big shoe to fill, and the proclaimed ‘The Chosen One’ David Moyes hasn’t been living upto the fans’ expectation yet.

A 6-game winning streak in December got fans all excited for 2014 as they saw The Red Devils rise in the table from a lowly 9^th to a respectable 6^th with just 3 points behind the then 4^th placed team Everton. However, the New Year started on a very disappointing note for the Red Devils as the winning streak came to a halt when Spurs defeated them at Old Trafford. The woes didn’t stop as they went out of the FA Cup (losing to Swansea) and then bowed out of the League Cup after losing to Sunderland on penalties when frankly speaking, we weren’t sure whether the players were taking spot-kicks or goal-kicks.

There was a Facebook post made by ‘GMP Manchester North’ (Link: https://www.facebook.com/GMPManchesterNorth/posts/387059391431609) which clearly showed that the people living in Manchester couldn’t take the embarrassment any more. An inspirational signing was the need of the hour.

Often we see that there is that one player or maybe two players who stand out and be the face of that team for a particular season. In the previous season, we saw Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick doing it for United, Gareth Bale for Tottenham Hotspur, Michu for Swansea etc. This season, for the teams that are in for 4^th spot, we have seen the SAS pair (Suarez and Sturridge) putting up breath-taking performances for Liverpool, Remy and Cabaye for Newcastle, Lukaku for Everton, and Wayne Rooney for Manchester United. Unfortunately, for Rooney’s case, it hasn’t been enough for the team.

The staff at United still believe that they are still in the title race even after being 14 points adrift from the league leaders Arsenal. That is a mammoth task to overcome. But there’s some positivity to it. Thinking about a higher target would try and ensure atleast a 4^th spot which is a must for a club of their stature.

Since the Chelsea game, there were rumours floating around about Juan Mata signing for The Red Devils after falling down the order under Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Jose finally confirmed in the press conference today that they indeed have accepted a bid for Mata and was allowed for a medical with United. An official confirmation from both clubs should be on the way soon.

United currently sit at 7^th in the table, 6 points behind the 4^th place. Their upcoming set of fixtures until March 1^st are pretty easy (barring the Arsenal game on 12^th at the Emirates). On the other hand, the fixtures for Liverpool, Everton and Spurs aren’t – they face oppositions like Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal and also compete among themselves for creating a gap as they look for a Champions League spot. With an inspired signing as good as 2-time Chelsea Player of the Season, Juan Mata, it is fair to expect an instant impact on the club as he will be looking to put up some stellar performances to try and cement a place in the Spain Football Team for the upcoming World Cup in June. Despite the limited opportunities he got at Chelsea this season, he has churned out 3 assists for the Blues which is equal to the number of assists by Antonio Valencia or Ashley Young, who have played almost every game for The Red Devils.

This signing isn’t everything that United will ever need. A lot of work has to be done on the team which Moyes inherited from SAF – clearing out the trash and recruiting those who’ll don the Red jersey and maintain its pride. Their (Moyes’ and SAF’s) methodologies are different. When SAF said “Stand by your new manager”, he knew what he had done to the club, to the fans. He had made them habitual to favourable results. But this, perhaps, will be the beginning of a new era (since Fellaini wasn’t – poor performances and later leading to an injury).

Looking at the next 5 fixtures for United, they shouldn’t settle for anything less than 13 points. This could result in United climbing a spot or two, or at least decreasing the gap between Liverpool and themselves.

All United fans would be eagerly waiting for January 28. It’s going to be different seeing Mata in Red. The added incentive for fans on that day – Ole Gunnar Solskjær returns to Old Trafford as Cardiff City manager.

Welcome back, Ole!