Jamie Carragher teased that there would be a Juan Mata love-in on this week's Monday Night Football on his twitter account earlier in the day, and sure enough when it came time to discuss Manchester United vs Arsenal for the pre-match analysis before West Brom vs Burnley, the former Liverpool man delivered.
Juan Mata is someone who has proved to be a polarising figure since he joined Man Utd from Chelsea under David Moyes, despite the fact that since his arrival in England no midfield player has combined for more goals and assists.
There has always been the feeling among some that a player of his quality should be more influential, but fans of the Spaniard would point to the fact that he has rarely been playing in his favoured position and has had to deal with a lot of changes among the players around him. Still, he manages to produce, and not only according to the stats as Carragher pointed out.
Most United fans would have really enjoyed the analysis that shone a light on the good that Mata brings to the team, something we've not seen much of in recent seasons.
I think it's about time now we start looking at Juan Mata in these group of players as one of the top players in the Premier League, which he is, and has been. And it's not a flash in the pan. He's been here five or six years, I think he should start getting a lot more credit.
That is a lot of love from Carragher, and it's hard to argue when you look at those stats.
The point that Mourinho's decision to sell him from Chelsea saw his reputation take somewhat of a hit is an interesting one, as despite regularly popping up with goals and assists in big moments, Mata has never been talked about as one of Manchester United's most important players.
Perhaps now more pundits will follow Carragher's lead.
