Manchester United need Mata to step up in Mkhitaryan’s absence — Premier League talking points

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, right, inspired Manchester United to victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday before leaving the field injured. Oli Scarff / AFP

Reflecting on the past weekend’s Premier League action, Thomas Woods offers his thoughts on some of the biggest talking points.

Mata to the rescue for United

Manchester United look to have been transformed since Henrikh Mkhitaryan earned a starting spot, and his ankle injury, which could keep him out until January, has come at just the wrong time.

As Richard Jolly wrote in his match report from the 1-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Sunday, the Armenian has added a potent combination of pace, urgency and creativity that seems beyond any of his United teammates.

United are unbeaten in six matches in all competitions, winning four, and it is no surprise their upturn in fortunes have coincided with Mkhitaryan’s reintroduction.

After a three week absence during November, Mkhitaryan played a key role in United’s thumping Europa League victory over Feyenoord at the end of last month, and after being benched for the Premier League match against West Ham United three days later, the playmaker has proved undroppable since.

Two assists in the 4-1 League Cup win over West Ham has been followed by goals in successive victories over Europa League opponents Zorya and Tottenham. Yet, just as the Armenian is finding his groove, injury looks set to sideline him for the Premier League’s busy winter period.

More Premier League:

• Team of the week: Who joins Mkhitaryan in the best XI?

• Jurgen Klopp: Not happy with suspect Liverpool defence

• Arsene Wenger: Confident Arsenal will keep pressure on Chelsea

Jose Mourinho would’ve liked to have called on Mkhitaryan for United’s next two away games — at Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion, particularly the latter.

West Brom have been this season’s most-improved team, adding an attacking threat to go with their notoriously organised defensive structure.

In Mkhitaryan’s absence, United can still build on the momentum he has helped generate over the last few games.

United have been unlucky with draws that could, and perhaps should, have been wins recently. The 1-0 victory over Spurs will help the team spirit, and they have a great chance to propel themselves into the top four.

Liverpool and Manchester City are both dropping points, and with City hosting Arsenal next week, this is a big chance for United, who are six points behind fourth-place City.

With Mkhitaryan out, Mourinho needs to break the emergency glass and take Juan Mata out of hibernation.

Mata was expected to be discarded by Mourinho when the Portuguese arrived at Old Trafford in the summer, similarly to when both were at Chelsea, but the Spanish playmaker emerged as a key player for Mourinho during the early part of the season.

The introduction of Mkhitaryan means Mata has not played in the league since the home draw against West Ham on November 27. Whether he has been dropped or is being rested is up for debate, but he will certainly be fresh for the gruelling Christmas period, during which he will need to fill Mkhitaryan’s void.

Mata possesses a similar skill set to Mkhitaryan, although he lacks the driving pace of the Armenian. United will hope he can seamlessly slot into the starting XI and performances will not be affected. If so, then 12 points over the Christmas period is possible and United could be in the top four by January.

Dangerous Okaka will worry City

On first appearances, Stefano Okaka does not look like a Premier League striker. Watford’s Italian forward appears slow and heavy, but it is deceptive. He hasn’t earned four caps for his country without a bit of quality and he showed he can score goals at this level during the 3-2 defeat of Everton on Saturday.

Okaka’s headed goal should be expected from a 1.85 metre forward, but his classy, backheeled flick to make it 1-1 shows he can be a goal-threat with his feet too. It seems Watford have found themselves a battering ram with a delicate touch.

He poses a big threat to Manchester City’s struggling defence when Watford travel to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. It depends on whether Watford manager Walter Mazzarri is brave enough to field two up front against City. Two strikers against a three-man defence will cause some issues.

Payet will save West Ham

West Ham need not worry about relegation for one reason — Dimitri Payet.

The France international could slot into any top Premier League side and none of the other relegation-threatened teams have anyone of his quality.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jermain Defoe are as important for Swansea City and Sunderland respectively, but Payet can produce something out of nothing.

His free kick in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool was sensational, and he was a constant menace to their defence.

After a star showing for France at Euro 2016, West Ham must be counting their lucky stars they managed to hold onto their best player. West Ham remain just one point above the drop zone, but without Payet, their league standing would be far more bleak.

Expect a star performance from Payet on Wednesday at home to Burnley as he guides West Ham away from danger.

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