Amorim must unleash Man Utd’s “wizard” who could be the next Juan Mata

Fortunately, 2024 is over. Few calendar years have been so dark for those of a Manchester United assurances, even with a shock FA Cup triumph in the middle.

Fresh off their worst Premier League season, the Red Devils look very poised to break that record amid what has been a frankly disastrous 2024/25 campaign so far. Reuben Amorimpeople are deservedly languishing in the lower half of the table.

Six defeats in just 11 games under the new manager have seen United fail to even enjoy a typical ‘bounce’ after making a change in squad, and that record looks set to be even worse ahead of Sunday’s trip to meeting with the leading leagues Liverpool on Merseyside.

Winless at Anfield since the days of Louis van Gaal in 2016, having failed to even score in any of their last five trips to the opposition, the omens do not bode well for this struggling bunch.

Then again, this is a new year, it’s time to turn over a new leaf. What better way to start 2025 than with a stop Arne Slottand their seemingly unstoppable procession of headlines.

They have already upset the odds away at the Etihad, so why can’t Amorim’s men do it again on Sunday? All they need is to look to the past, conjure up a little magic in the style of Juan Mata…

Juan Mata’s heroics at Anfield

Signed from rivals Chelsea with a contract worth £37.1 million in January 2014, the World Cup-winning Spaniard never quite reached the United heights he showed at Stamford Bridge after making incredible progress 86 goals and assists in just 135 games in West London, while he also won the Champions League.

He was too often moved to the right flank during his days at Old Trafford, a succession of managers who never seemed to capitalize on the playmaker’s strengths, with few talents in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era possessing that level of silk and class. That ability to create something out of nothing.

He may not have featured often enough, but Mata certainly had his moments, none more so than on that glorious day in March 2015, when Van Gaal’s side stormed to a 2-1 victory over their fiercest rivals.

Now, this was not a Liverpool side to be feared, with then-boss Brendan Rodgers suffering from a post-Luis Suarez hangover and a post-title collapse, but victory at Anfield – a rarity these days – is never something to be downplayed.

At the heart of that victory was the diminutive Mata, with the former Valencia star putting the visitors ahead with a rare right-footed strike in the first half, after compatriot Ander Herrera had played beautifully.

With the hosts then reduced to ten men just seconds after the break following substitute Steven Gerrard’s rash tackle on Herrera, United took full advantage as Mata – boosted by a wonderful strike from Angelo Di Maria – produced one of the great modern moments in this match, after executing a stunning scissor kick from inside the box.

While Daniel Sturridge’s late goal, as well as Wayne Rooney’s missed penalty, caused a slightly nervous climax, United – inspired by the number eight – held on for all three points.

Of course, Liverpool’s current squad provides a far tougher test, but Amorim will be hoping his key pieces step up, none more so than his answer to Mata…

The Man Utd star who could be Mata 2.0

Looking for positive results this season is a difficult task as far as United are concerned, especially when December has been particularly brutal, amid a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions.

However, it’s easy to forget that just a few weeks ago the Red Devils were on a high after adding to Manchester City’s derby woes, with certain Amad Diallo guiding the visitors to a thrilling late turnaround.

Indeed, the young Bjelokovac was a real light in an otherwise poor campaign, so it is not surprising that the club is ready to hand over the 22-year-old a richly deserved new deal in the near future.

The former Atalanta star is still yet to make 50 appearances for the club, but his impact this season – not least his heroics at the Etihad – points to a player who can be central to Amorim’s set-up in due course, with seven goals and an assist coming in just 11 games under the new regime.

The cult hero in the making could further strengthen his rising status by leading the way to a much-needed win on Sunday, with it hard to see who else will step up and take the game by the scruff of the neck, even with captain Bruno Fernandes back from suspension.

Equally, who better to try to emulate the man Mata than Amado, with the former Sunderland loanee also a left-footed, creative “wizard” of short stature – as described by journalist James Copley.

Likely to operate in the very right channel where Mata did his damage at Anfield nearly a decade ago, you wouldn’t bet against £28.8k per week maestro creating another magnificent moment to remember on the big stage.

Having already spoiled Jurgen Klopp’s farewell tour last season this coming season that last time an FA Cup quarter-final winner, the rising star could trouble Liverpool’s new boss in similar fashion this time around.