I suggest this space to discuss a right winger position for the team this season (while we are waiting for a super-derby).

Last year, pretty much everyone agreed that the position that required a new signing the most was right winger. Somehow we had quite a few good left wingers (Martial, Memphis, Young, Januzaj) but barely a single proper right winger (Lingard could be argued to be an RW, though he was played as #10 too). LVG played Mata on the right, and while he became the most-played player last season (he was the only one who participated in all 38 league games, and started 34 of them), there was a universal agreement that he is not the right player for this position. A lot of people said that he is much better fit for pos. 10, and some even called for Mata to be sold.

Fast forward to this summer. Mourinho sees the same thing as everyone and buys Mkhitaryan, who is not just a proper right-winger, but also the best player in Bundesliga. Everyone is sure that he will just walk into the team, and Mata will be either sold or make a few appearances in EL.

In pre-season, Mkhitaryan arrived early (no Euros), played a lot and pretty well. But then the season comes, and in 4 games so far (incl. Community Shield) Mkhitaryan barely got any minutes. Lingard started in the Shield, got replaced with Mata in 63', and then Mata went on to start all three league games. Mata even got a callup to the Spain national team, though he wasn't selected for Euros.

It's quite likely that Mata will start in the derby too (esp. with Mkhitaryan's injury).

So, what changed? Last year, Mata was inadequate as right winger, and suddenly he is selected ahead of the proper right winger, the best player in Bundesliga?

One of the potential explanations would be Mourinho tactics together with Valencia revival. Given that our fullbacks are going forward and overlapping a lot, and Valencia hugs the sideline and delivers crosses, Mata's constant inside runs seem to be ok - we are not losing width on the right.

Did Mata suddenly start playing better than last season? I didn't notice this much - in the 3 league games so far Mata wasn't really exceptional.

Was Mkhitaryan unfit or there was some another reason for him not being able to start? Though when we saw him, especially against Hull, he looked pretty good.

So what do you think happened? Is Mata good enough to start? Should Mkhitaryan start instead? Or should both be in starting 11? And what about Lingard - is he relegated to the bench and occasional EL game?