Can Louis van Gaal convert Mata-Herrera into the next Xavi-Iniesta?
Louis van Gaal has a fearsome and deserved reputation as being a real hard-liner. A disciplinarian who isn't to everyone's taste. The sort of guy you either love or hate, there is no middle ground.
In many respects, the Dutchman could've stepped directly out of the Alex Ferguson school of management, such are the similarities in both Manchester United manager's characteristics.
However, whilst Ferguson can lay claim to be the best United manager in history, Van Gaal can look back on a glorious and successful career across the continent. Aloysius Paulus Maria Van Gaal to give him his proper name has overseen huge success at Ajax, Bayern Munich, the Dutch national team and Barcelona.
During his first tenure in Catalonia, Van Gaal made it his business to carry on the philosophy of another Dutchman with links to both Ajax and Barca, Johan Cruyff. Cruyff had an utter belief in the youth of the Blaugrana, as long as they were coached the right way and had the appropriate mentality and intelligence to put his ideas into practice.
Van Gaal and his belief in Xavi and Iniesta
Van Gaal saw no need to deviate from what was essentially Barca's best period of success and to that end, whilst manager at Camp Nou, he brought both Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta into the first team picture.
Although it would be some time before the two of them built up the club's most important midfield partnership of the modern era, the seeds were sown by Van Gaal, and indeed both players have noted the importance of Van Gaal in their careers at the very beginning of their journey.
A journey for Xavi which has just ended after 17 trophy-laden years, and he departs the scene having become the most decorated Spanish player in history. Van Gaal has, of course, moved on since those heady days in the late 90's and his Manchester United project continues apace.
It's fair to say that initial disappointment with United's fourth-placed finish has been replaced by a sense of optimism and excitement as to what the erudite Dutchman can bring to this young United side.
There is a very real sense that the Red Devils are at the beginning not just of something special, but something more long-term. Call it empire building if you like, but there is certainly a vision that Van Gaal seems to have in mind.
This summer is the first one where the Dutchman can really get his teeth into what he needs to mould and shape the squad into exactly what he is looking for, and something that perhaps resembles his great sides of the past.
Van Gaal is no dinosaur and will embrace the changes of the modern game as readily as your Arsene Wenger's or Pep Guardiola's, but there is a definite sense of leaning on the past for his general template. It's always worked for him prior to his United appointment, so why change a winning formula.
The duo of Herrera and Mata have combined well
One area that he is sure to give his utmost attention and diligence is in midfield. The heartbeat of any top side and the conduit through which everything flows. In Juan Mata and Ander Herrera, United have two of the very finest exponents of the modern game, and Van Gaal needs to find a way of introducing them to their more natural Spanish roots within the confines of Old Trafford and England's finest stadiums.
With Radamel Falcao now departed, a lone front man should be a thing of the past and we can look forward to a typically continental 4-3-3 formation from next season. It's a formation which would see either Marouane Fellaini or Michael Carrick take up the role of the defensive midfielder (unless a new player is signed for that position) thus allowing the Mata-Herrera axis to flourish in front.
With the presence of wingers such as Angel Di Maria, Memphis Depay, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, all of whom are at their very best as natural wide men, will leave one of Wayne Rooney or Robin van Persie as centre forward, again a position that is preferred by both the players.
In personnel terms, a slight switch could see Phil Jones at right-back, a position he occupied regularly whilst at Blackburn Rovers and in his early years at United (unless a replacement is brought in) and Daley Blind/ Luke Shaw back in a much more natural left-back slot.
Such moves would give the side much more balance than it had on many occasions during the 2014/15 season and beefs up United's attacking intent which was lost at times last year.
There would be a certain symmetry to Mata and Herrera's roles in this new type of set-up and fortunately for Van Gaal, they’re the exact same roles both players undertook with aplomb at Chelsea and Athletic Bilbao respectively.
What makes this an added advantage is that the two of them actually have great understanding on and off the field and look to find each other given a chance. They know the runs each of them will make, which was highlighted by how Herrera was able to find Mata for the first goal at Anfield.
That said, the Dutchman is very particular at how he would wish those roles to be aligned and develop, and acutely aware of the need for one or both to track back and help Fellaini when the need arises. Not quite an "engine room" role but not far off it. But one with a decent level of skill laid on top.
The vision and quality of pass from both players is virtually unsurpassed in the Premier League in any event and a tweaking of their daily routine would certainly add a new dimension to United's play.
Everyone has already seen the tour de force that is Van Gaal and it's clear that his words and demeanour are such that players will always give him 100 percent, much like Fergie. He engenders that win at all costs mentality and his persuasive nature arguably tests the resolve of his players but ultimately gets the best out of them.
It will take time for him to blend the Mata/ Herrera partnership into anything like the Xavi/ Iniesta pairing but don't scoff at the notion. Louis van Gaal will make it work. He always makes it work.