Depay should allow Mata to play in the number 10 role says Collymore

Stan Collymore believes that Manchester United’s new signing Memphis Depay will allow Juan Mata to play in his favoured number 10 position with the Dutch star starting on the right wing, as per Bleacher Report.

The Red Devils announced an agreement for the highly-rated forward had been struck with PSV yesterday, following a much talked about transfer saga, with some of Europe’s elite clubs.

The 21-year-old has scored 21 goals in the Eredivisie this season but Collymore feels that Mata should continue starting behind the striker when the Netherlands international arrives at Old Trafford.



Mata has scored eight goals this season.

“Depay can play left or right, and I can see him developing as a No. 10 because he has skill, pace and cleverness,” said the 44-year-old.

“Initially, my preferred style with Depay in the team would be 4-1-4-1, which is the way United have been playing, with him wide of the four on the right, and then Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and a rejuvenated Di Maria.”

Daley Blind says Juan Mata has been very important this season

Mata has become one of Louis van Gaal’s key players in recent months and helped the, during their brief revival that saw the Red Devils climb to third in the table.

The 27-year-old has the joint best pass accuracy for United this season, with 90% and would probably be more suited to playing behind the striker, be it Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie.



Depay could prove to be a better midfielder than Mata.

Mata has been unable to help United deal with their current slump, where they have lost three games in a row and failed to score in any of those matches.

Following his move from Chelsea in January 2014, Mata has played 44 games for United and scored 15 goals.


Mata has a 45% shot accuracy in the league this season.