Juan Mata has not had much game time in 2021, and yet, he still has magic in his boots.
The Spaniard showed his silky touch in a newly released video of him and David de Gea warming up at Villa Park.
While standing behind the touchline, Mata managed to curl the ball with the outside of his foot into the net.
Mata is clearly still enjoying himself despite his lack of action. The veteran has not started a game since the win over Watford at the beginning of January.
This could be about to change. Mata could be in action as soon as tomorrow night.
Ready to contribute
United will rotate the side for this week’s match with Leicester City. It’s just too much to expect the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood to start three games in six days, especially with another one against Liverpool taking place two days later.
Mata is one of the fringe players who will be needed to come in and give regular starters some respite.
As he showed here, he hasn’t lost his touch, and Mata may just surprise a few people when he gets his chance.
When he was given an opportunity early in the season he did well, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
We could see a late season Mata renaissance, with plenty of variance expected in the line up over the next fortnight.
While most fans would probably prefer to see Amad given chances, or youngsters from the under-23s given game time, Mata will surely have a part to play as Solskjaer shuffles his pack.
Mata has proven he is a player United can rely on, and he could get more more chance to reinforce his enduring quality.
- What sources close to Patrick Dorgu are now saying about his long-term future for Man Utd
- Kobbie Mainoo says England are about to face a player Casemiro speaks so highly about, ‘Pedestal…’
- Bruno Fernandes has now told Man Utd to sign £85m midfielder who is ‘very keen’ on transfer
- Michael Carrick lifts lid on Sir Jim Ratcliffe relationship as optimism brews for new season
- Graeme Souness says he’s now changed his mind about Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd
- Harry Maguire says he knows why Trevoh Chalobah has been called up for England ahead of him and Luke Shaw
- One Manchester United player ‘liked’ Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan announcement
- Lisandro Martinez sends ‘crazy’ message to Lionel Messi after Argentina hattrick, Man Utd target replies
- Tom Heaton explains what was ‘impressive’ about Senne Lammens from day one
- Bayer Leverkusen agree £27m deal for Man Utd target Afonso Moreira
- Thomas Tuchel explains why Trevoh Chalobah was picked over Luke Shaw for England replacement
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
