The Spaniard made his debut in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City although the Red Devils' deficiencies are still abundantly clear despite the presence of their record signing
Juan Mata and Manchester United have had a surreal seven days. He has arrived. He has played. And yet, despite the best efforts of everyone concerned to convince us otherwise, things aren’t that much different than before.
The Spaniard made his debut in Tuesday’s economical, but thoroughly unconvincing, 2-0 victory over Cardiff at Old Trafford. Mata represents a bona fide marquee signing, a muscle-flexing statement to offset a summer of transfer mismanagement, and, at face value, has given the club a renewed vigour. He is the vindication United fans needed that they are still relevant, that their owners will back the manager, and that David Moyes is beginning to develop an air of authority.
In truth, the hysteria surrounding his arrival has provided a convenient diversion from the despair of the six months that preceded it. It’s important to remember that Tottenham, Swansea, Sunderland, and Chelsea have defeated United in January alone. Two cup competitions were ungraciously exited. Mata is a footballer that would improve any side, but United’s deficiencies remain abundantly clear, and this smoke-and-mirrors splurge shouldn’t detract from those truths.





















