Mata & Herrera Dispel Myths

During a debate on a radio phone-in show this week, discussing Chelsea's impending title win, it was suggested Jose Mourinho approved the sale of the two-time club Player of the Year Juan Mata because the Spaniard "did not work hard enough".

It has been claimed Mata did not fit into the pragmatic Portuguese's tactical masterplan but it would be wrong to accuse the recently-turned 27-year-old of not putting in the hard yards for the team. Indeed, Opta's statistics show he has covered the most ground for Manchester United in 10 Barclays Premier League matches this term – more than any of his colleagues.

There has been something of a pattern in this regard, which may or may not relate specifically to Louis van Gaal's instructions. The Dutchman seems to want the ball to do the work rather than see his players expend unnecessary energy, a point Ander Herrera alluded to in a recent interview. The classy midfielder is second only to his pal Mata after he ran more than anybody on the pitch at Everton, the eighth time he has come out on top.

So, while Herrera's velvet touch to bring the ball out of the air at Goodison Park may have been more aesthetically pleasing, it was his tireless graft that slipped under the radar. After Mata recorded the best figures for the opening three games – his distance of 12.54 kilometres (over seven miles) on the opening day against Swansea City has not been bettered – Herrera was United's hardest runner in the win over QPR, though he failed to gain this accolade again until the reverse fixture with the Swans in February.

In the meantime, Marouane Fellaini enjoyed a run of covering the most ground in six out of seven games, while Daley Blind, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney also came out in front in other matches. The last of Mata's 10 top-ranking displays came in the home defeat to Southampton. Since Herrera took over the baton when sealing a regular place in the side, it has all been about the Reds' other outfield Spaniard.

Herrera has now recorded the best figures in seven of the last nine matches – Fellaini's shift was harder at Liverpool, as was Rooney's, from midfield, at Chelsea. At Anfield, the boy from Bilbao was substituted seven minutes from time and he perhaps appreciated the rest, even if it cost him a few extra kilometres.

As touched upon earlier, there could be roles defined for players at certain times of the seasons, which would explain why, broadly speaking, Mata, Fellaini and then Herrera ran the most for long stretches. It is hardly conclusive but perhaps the fact that nobody has racked up more kilometres than Mata did way back on 16 August is telling.

Maybe the data does offer further clues to the way United are playing and the methods being utilised by van Gaal. Whatever the case, it would be wrong to label Mata and Herrera as creative, elegant footballers who lack a work ethic. The silky Spaniards have proved beyond any doubt that they put in a real shift.