Yorke: Signing Mata won’t solve Man Utd’s vast problems

Kenny Laurie 10:05 22/01/2014
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  • Frustrated: Juan Mata has reportedly grown frustrated at his limited role at Chelsea.

    Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke believes it will take more than Juan Mata to reverse the club’s fortunes this season.

    Under David Moyes the Red Devils have endured a tough first season without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, lying seventh in the Premier League, 14 points off the top. They have already lost seven games this season coupled with defeat to Swansea in the FA Cup third round.

    Chelsea are understood to want more than £40million (Dh242m) for Mata, who has grown weary at a lack of opportunities under Jose Mourinho, while United believe he will add some much need creativity in a midfield that has too often looked devoid of invention. 

    But Yorke – who scored 65 goals in 147 appearances for United between 1998 and 2002 – believes that while Mata would be a quality addition, there are too many factors in United’s demise to pin all their hopes on the Spaniard.

    Treble-winner Yorke has also called on the United players to take their fair share of responsibility.

    Speaking in Dubai during DHL’s worldwide Premier League trophy tour, Yorke told Sport360°: “Obviously Juan Mata is an outstanding player. There are no two ways about that and he would add value to the team no doubt, but is Juan Mata the answer to our problems? I don’t think anyone who knows football would say that.

    “He would be a great addition to the squad, who would only make us better. But this team didn’t just win the league last year, they did it by 11 points, that’s some achievement. Something, somewhere isn’t right.

    “There a lot of factors: we haven’t had a settled defence, we don’t look balanced when Michael Carrick doesn’t play, the wingers aren’t producing as much and the strikers aren’t scoring as many goals. Somewhere along the line things haven’t clicked and yes the manager is responsible to a certain degree but it also falls on the players.”

    Moyes has shouldered much of the criticism but Yorke believes the Scotsman can help silence the doubters with his performances in the transfer market.

    Marouane Fellaini was United’s sole addition in the summer and there remains serious doubt over Moyes’ ability to attract the world’s best players, having tried and failed to sign Thiago Alcantara, Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera.

    “The name of Man United is big enough to attract some players,” added Yorke. “But having been a player myself, I know the name itself isn’t always enough. It isn’t the club that is going to pick you every Saturday, there is a man whose position it is to do that so players look who is in charge, the man who is going to pick you and believe in you and help you reach your full potential.

    “Sir Alex Ferguson was there for 27 years and was able to convince everybody who came through the door that they were unstoppable. But with David Moyes there is a bit of a question mark at the moment, only he knows if he can persuade players to come to the club.

    “That for me is going to be his biggest challenge. You don’t just play for a football club, you want to play for the manager too.”

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