Juan Mata deserves a bigger role for Manchester United in crucial run of fixtures

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a series of big decisions to make when Manchester United’s season resumes after the international break.

One of the choices he makes should be to involve Juan Mata more.

Mata has been used this season strictly as a Carabao Cup back-up. He is better than this and has more to offer.

The Spaniard showed his quality in the Europa League in August when he came off the bench and turned the quarter-final in United’s favour in extra-time.

Mata’s season so far

This season he has played just twice so far, and he has played very well in both matches.

Against Luton he netted from the penalty spot and created four goalscoring chances in 78 minutes. No player on the pitch topped that figure.

In the match with Brighton he starred as United won 3-0. He scored one from open play and produced an assist to set up a goal for new signing Donny van de Beek.

Once again Mata led the team, creating four chances, making it eight in two games.

Yet in the Premier League, Mata has not played a single minute.

It feels like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be missing a trick not involving him more. Even at the end of last season in the league, Mata was overlooked.

He could be what United need

United’s season is entering a big moment, with key Premier League and Champions League matches.

There are no Carabao Cup matches until December, and it is time to start mixing Mata in more.

Mata can have a calming influence on this United team, when leaders and experience are needed.

Mata may mesh well with fellow veteran Edinson Cavani in a similar way to how he has linked up effectively with Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek when given the chance.

United have struggled to create chances in the Premier League. Against Tottenham the team had only one shot on goal from open play.

Purely based on the two cup matches he has played, Mata deserves an opportunity. Other who have featured in league matches have not seized their chances.

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