Mata ready to be van Gaal’s playmaker

WASHINGTON, DC — Louis van Gaal plans to build his Manchester United team around an attacking triumvirate of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata after handing the Spaniard the opportunity to fulfil the role performed successfully for the Netherlands by Wesley Sneijder.

During his 45-minute appearance in United’s 3-2 friendly victory against AS Roma in Denver on Saturday, Mata’s link play with Rooney and summer signing Ander Herrera illuminated a fixture played in searing heat and at altitude against the Italians in the city’s Mile High Stadium.

However, with Van Gaal determined to deploy a 3-4-1-2 formation at United, he wants Mata to play in the role behind the forwards that Sneijder has impressively operated for the Dutch in successive World Cup tournaments.

Van Gaal has spoken of the “imbalance” of United’s squad, citing the four “No  10s”at his disposal: Mata, Shinji Kagawa, Adnan Januzaj and Rooney. But with Rooney in line to partner Van Persie in Van Gaal’s first-choice strike force, Mata, United’s record £37.1 million (S$78.2 million) signing from Chelsea in January, will be offered the chance to cement his grip on the No 10 role.

After United’s victory against Roma, which secured top spot in their International Champions Cup group following Real Madrid’s penalty shoot-out defeat against Inter Milan, Van Gaal spoke glowingly of Rooney playing “with his brain and Mata running with his brain”.

Mata, whose frustrating first six months at United still generated six goals in 15 appearances, underlined his growing confidence under Van Gaal by admitting his happiness under the Dutchman.

“Things are changing and everyone is finding their new role in the team, but if I play behind the two strikers, I feel comfortable,” said Mata. “I have played on the left or right, but my best season was when I played in that position under Rafa Benitez at Chelsea.

“We feel the manager is a great manager, though, and he has brought a strong mentality. This club is made for a winning mentality and I think he has it. Everything is new but we are adapting well to his style of football.”

Mata’s understanding with Rooney and Herrera has been evident in United’s 7-0 win over the LA Galaxy and Roma. Mata said Herrera’s arrival from Athletic Bilbao had enabled the pair to renew a relationship dating back to their teens. “He (Herrera) can play quick, slow and dictate the rhythm of a game. He can score as well. He is a very complete midfielder and he can bring these qualities to the team,” said Mata.

With United preparing to face Inter and their former captain Nemanja Vidic at Washington’s FedEx Field today (tomorrow morning, Singapore time), Van Gaal is demanding an upturn in performance.

Said Mata: “After the game, when we had given two goals away, he was not very happy, but I think his way is that of a great manager.”