Mata is just as capable as Rooney in the number ten role, creating two goals and one assist compared to Rooney’s three goals and two assists this season, but with Rooney a general first choice on the team sheet – and skipper to boot – Mata does not regularly play a full 90 minutes.
The 26 year old’s favoured position is as a playmaker and he has been very successful in his career, particularly for Chelsea where he won their Player of the Year accolade twice in a row when allowed to play freely in this position.
Unfortunately for Mata when he does get a game he tends to have to share his minutes with players like Angel Di Maria and Adnan Janujaz.