Jose Mourinho was effusive in his praise for Juan Mata this week. The Spaniard, he said was a ‘good player’ at Chelsea, but the focus on ball retention at Manchester United elevated him further.
Certainly a surprise to those who thought Mata’s days might be numbered, given his toil during the last few months at Stamford Bridge under the Portuguese.
But Mourinho is in the process of tinkering what Louis van Gaal implemented and knows this requires time - something he is not necessarily blessed with if United want to challenge this season.
His major area to address, therein, has been midfield.