No key passes, no dribbles – What was wrong with United star v Villa?

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Manchester United’s Juan Mata was ineffective in the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa away from home in the Premier League.

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata had one of his most ineffective performances of the season as the Red Devils drew 1-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Spanish international has been one of Louis van Gaal’s most-used players this season, featuring in 14 of United’s 17 Premier League matches to date.

Aside from being given an extended run in the first team, Mata has often been played in his natural position behind the front two where he has managed to find the net an impressive five times.

Yet, in the draw at Villa, Mata appeared to have left his creativeness back in Manchester as he struggled to impose himself on the match and it was surprising to see him last the 90 minutes.

As per the table provided by Opta Stats, the former Chelsea ace created very little and was often outshone by Ashley Young, who was playing as an unorthodox wing-back.

Mata registered just one shot on target, created no openings for his teammates and didn’t manage to complete any successful dribbles when coming up against the host’s stubborn defence.

Despite his inability to make things happen, United did feed the ball into him on many occasions, with Mata taking a total of 62 touches and laying off 43 accurate passes.

However, the majority of his neat interplay was actually going away the Villa goal as he racked up a disappointing nine forward passes – an average of one forward pass every 10 minutes.

Mata’s display was rather coincidental with United’s afternoon on the whole as they struggled to break down the Midlands outfit and extend their previous six-game winning streak.

It was a missed opportunity for the Old Trafford oufit, and one they and Mata will be hoping to put right in the Boxing Day clash at home to Newcastle United.