Mata a brave signing, now Moyes needs bold tactics

David Moyes has rarely gambled on the pitch in his debut season as Manchester United manager, but he is set to show he can be bold in the transfer window with the club record signing of Juan Mata.

United are buying a player of undoubted quality in the Spain international, but there is still an element of risk involved in the Old Trafford club’s acquisition of the Chelsea midfielder as they look to mimic Arsenal’s “Mesut Ozil” moment.

Mata, 25, is expected to arrive in Manchester today for a medical after Chelsea’s efforts to secure the signature of Mohamed Salah from Basel delayed the move for 24 hours. Some see this as a gamble by United and Moyes, a manager who has shown little adventure with his playing style on the pitch but seemingly ready to roll the dice to re-ignite a so far catastrophic first season.