The Juan Mata Transfer

Juan Mata isn't what United need, but he's the perfect signing.

By Daniel Feliciano - @dmf180593

Mata set to wave goodbye to Chelsea after agreeing move to Manchester United
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Juan Manuel Mata is on the verge of signing for Manchester United in one of the biggest transfers in the history of the January transfer window for £37M.

The Spaniard has found himself on the brink of the first team for the majority of the season and with the World Cup underway in less than 6 months he felt he needed a move to ensure his role in Brazil with Spain.

Many pundits and fans have claimed that Moyes is simply sweeping the squads issues under the carpet with this signing, as the squad is in more dire need of a central midfielder and a left-back - and whilst I agree with that, this is a perfect mid-season signing for Manchester United.

The Champions currently languish in 7th place with just 37 points, 6 points adrift of Liverpool in fourth place and 14 points off top-of-the-table Arsenal. With Robin van Persie missing much of the season through injury, wingers not performing and Wayne Rooney now missing reinforcements were needed at Old Trafford. The club have been looking at central midfielders and left-backs since the arrival of Moyes in July, but in the summer they only signed the giant Belgian Marouane Fellaini. In the games he has played, Fellaini is yet to score or get an assist in a Manchester United shirt with his most high profile moment so far being his red card in the Champions League. This January the club have been linked with a number of players including Leighton Baines, Fabio Coentrao, Dante, Arturo Vidal, Yohan Cabaye and Claudio Marchisio. None of those are looking particularly likely right now.

Juan Mata represents one of those players who become available once in a blue moon. A ready-made world-class talent unhappy at his current club available for a price that is completely reflective of the qualities he provides. A World Cup and European Championship winner, Juan Mata has won Chelsea's Player of the Year on both occasions since he's been at the club racking up 58 assists and 33 goals in 135 games for the London Blues. The rise of Oscar and Eden Hazard along with the form and style of Willian and Jose Mourinho respectively has seen him lose his place and he's made the choice to move across to United.

United obviously have more pressing issues in their squad than the #10 position or the wings. As stated, central midfield and left back are much weaker areas of the squad but just because we can't secure either of those positions in the team currently shouldn't mean that we don't improve on our current options elsewhere in the squad. A front four of Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and Robin van Persie is capable of winning competitions. Once Fellaini recovers from his injury, if he can pick up some form he could prove formidable in the battle for fourth before a rebuilding process for David Moyes.

In the summer the focus I'm sure will be central midfield and a left back once again. Names have been linked but United seem to have learnt from their mistakes last summer having kept this transfer quiet until the latter stages rather than gobbing off like they did re; Baines and Fabregas. Patience is needed but the quality is clearly visible in the side, more so now with the arrival of Mata.

 A side that has clearly lacked creativity, Mata brings it in abundance as well as a goalscoring midfielder that United have craved since the days of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes in his pomp. The Spaniard is going to breathe new life into Old Trafford, a marquee signing is exactly what was required in January. Mata fits the bill. While he doesn't play in a position we so desperately required to improve the team, he does offer something we didn't have before - a fear factor.