Amorim must unleash Man Utd’s “wizard” who could be the next Juan Mata

2024, fortunately, is over. Few calendar years have been fairly as grim for these of a Manchester United persuasion, even with a shock FA Cup triumph sandwiched within the center.

Recent from their worst-ever Premier League season, the Purple Devils look hell-bent on beating that report amid what has been a frankly disastrous 2024/25 marketing campaign up to now, with Ruben Amorim‘s males deservedly languishing within the bottom half of the table.

Six defeats in simply 11 video games beneath the brand new supervisor has seen United fail to even benefit from the typical ‘bounce’ after making a change within the dugout, with that report trying set to get even worse forward of Sunday’s journey to face league leaders Liverpool on Merseyside.

With out a win at Anfield because the days of Louis van Gaal again in 2016, having did not even rating in any of their final 5 journeys to face their rivals, the omens don’t bode nicely for this struggling bunch.

And but, it is a new yr, time to show over a brand new leaf. What higher means would there be to start 2025 than by halting Arne Slot‘s facet and their seemingly unstoppable title procession.

They’ve already upset the chances away on the Etihad, so why cannot Amorim’s males do it once more on Sunday? All they want is to look to the previous, to conjure up a little bit Juan Mata-esque magic…

Juan Mata’s Anfield heroics

Signed from rivals Chelsea on a £37.1m deal in January 2014, the World Cup-winning Spaniard by no means fairly hit the heights in a United shirt that he showcased at Stamford Bridge, having remarkably chalked up 86 goals and assists in simply 135 video games in west London, whereas successful the Champions League as well.

Far too usually shifted out onto the best flank throughout his days at Previous Trafford, a string of managers seemingly by no means performed to the playmaker’s strengths, with few abilities within the post-Sir Alex Ferguson period having possessed that stage of silk and sophistication. That capability to create one thing out of nothing.

It could not have been on present usually sufficient, however Mata definitely did have his moments, none extra so than on that wonderful day in March 2015, as Van Gaal’s facet romped to a 2-1 victory over their fiercest rivals.

Now, this wasn’t a Liverpool facet to be feared, with then-boss Brendan Rodgers affected by a post-Luis Suarez and post-title collapse hangover, however successful at Anfield – now a rarity nowadays – isn’t one thing to minimize.

On the centre of that victory was the diminutive Mata, with the one-time Valencia star placing the guests forward with a uncommon right-footed end within the first half, having been performed in fantastically by compatriot, Ander Herrera.

With the hosts then diminished to 10 males simply seconds after the interval following substitute Steven Gerrard’s rash stamp on Herrera, United took full benefit, as Mata – teed up by Angel Di Maria’s pleasant dink – produced one of many nice trendy moments on this fixture, having pulled off a surprising scissor kick from simply inside the realm.

Whereas a late Daniel Sturridge strike, in addition to a missed penalty from Wayne Rooney, sparked a considerably nervy climax, United – impressed by their quantity eight – held on for all three factors.

In fact, the present Liverpool crop gives a far more durable take a look at, but Amorim might be hoping for his key figures to step up, none extra so than his personal reply to Mata…

The Man Utd star who might be Mata 2.0

On the lookout for positives this season is a troublesome ask so far as United are involved, with December, specifically, having been significantly brutal, amid a run of 4 straight defeats in all competitions.

It’s straightforward to neglect, nevertheless, that it was simply weeks in the past that the Purple Devils had been driving excessive after including to Manchester Metropolis’s doom and gloom within the derby, with a sure Amad Diallo steering the guests to an exciting late turnaround.

Certainly, the younger Ivorian has been an actual shining mild in an in any other case wretched marketing campaign, with it no shock that the membership are set handy the 22-year-old a richly deserved new deal within the close to future.

The previous Atalanta star remains to be but to play 50 video games for the membership, but his affect this season – not simply his Etihad heroics – level to a participant who might be central to Amorim’s set-up for the foreseeable, with seven goals and assists coming his means in simply 11 video games beneath the brand new regime.

The rising cult hero might additional bolster his rising standing by spearheading a much-needed win on Sunday, with it troublesome to see simply who else will step up and take the sport by the scruff of the neck, even with captain Bruno Fernandes getting back from suspension.

Equally, who higher to try to emulate that man Mata than Amad, with the one-time Sunderland loanee additionally a left-footed, inventive “wizard” of slight stature – as described by journalist James Copley.

Prone to function in that proper channel the place Mata did his harm at Anfield virtually a decade in the past, you would not guess in opposition to the £28.8k-per-week maestro producing one other wonderful, memorable second of his personal on the grand stage.

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Having already spoiled Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour final season following that last-gasp winner within the FA Cup quarter-final, the rising star might upset the brand new Liverpool boss in related vogue this time round.

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