Juan Mata's Manchester United career ended where it should have started. Mata, a No.10, lined up on the right-hand side on his United debut against Cardiff under David Moyes in January 2014 and it set the tone for the next eight years. Back in his rightful role behind the centre forward, Mata was magisterial against Brentford
The Spaniard's farewell appearance to United's season ticket holders - his first start in the league since the final day of last season - seemed charitable yet Mat had earned it through recent vibrant cameos. In occupying the playmaker role usually reserved for Bruno Fernandes, Mata enhanced United's link-up play and the relocated Fernandes stealthily met Anthony Elanga's spirited cross to make it 1-0.
Ralf Rangnick made his mind up about Marcus Rashford months ago and his relegation back to the bench at the expense of Mata, who turned 34 last week and is about to be released, was the final nail. Rashford has the pace Mata always lacked but not the footballing brain. Few do at United.
