Record signing? No Mata...

Six minutes was all it took for Juan Mata to make an impact with his new club, a cross-field pass perfectly picking out Patrice Evra and a matter of seconds later, the net was rippling. If this is a sign of things to come, then United fans better get excited.

Sealed with club record £37.1m from rivals Chelsea, Mata has arrived with arguably a massive weight on his shoulders and the hopes of Manchester United fans across the globe that he can turn their fortunes around. But no pressure was evident, as Mata would float around the pitch, popping up everywhere. Within minutes he was pinging passes across the field, much back to the days when he was a regular in the Chelsea XI. I still find it astonishing that Chelsea and Mourinho were willing to leave Mata out of the starting line-up and then go on to sell him, but it has worked fantastically in United's favour.

Not one player can turn a club's season around and for Moyes and his players, there is plenty of work to do. But United can make a good stab of it, particularly if strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie stay fit; the latter getting on the score-sheet after only six minutes into his return tonight. At times against a plucky Cardiff side, led by former United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they would concede possession easily and were chasing the game. I am yet to be really convince by Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling - are they really the future of the English side? Manchester United did play okay - comfortable more than anything - but if they lose possession against a better side in the future, they will be punished. They certainly need to improve.

But for now, Mata's arrival has injected a much-needed buzz to Old Trafford. It's a big signal of intent from David Moyes, to say to their rivals 'listen, don't forget about us.' Mata will go on to be a Manchester United great, his creativity and vision is what they need in what is a side this campaign that is lacking any real conviction. It may be too late to save their season and a Champions League spot now, but the potential is there for beyond - and all that remains to be seen is whether Chelsea have made a big mistake letting their two-time Player of the Year slip from their grasp.

PFA Player of The Year nominations

You know that the football season is nigh, when word comes through of who has been shortlisted for this season PFA Player of the Year award in the Barclay's Premier League. This season has felt like it has flown by, but here we are again - facing another two or three months without Football; I don't know how we're all going to cope!

The six players nominated for the prestigious award are:

• Gareth Bale
• Luis Suarez 
• Michael Carrick
• Robin van Persie
• Eden Hazard
• Juan Mata

It's an interesting bunch, but one with not too many surprises - all have been stellar for their clubs this season. But who will win it?

In my view, I think this man without a shadow of a doubt will swoop the prize - and that man is Gareth Bale. Bale this season has been outstanding for Spurs, jinxing his way through opposition teams and scoring 17 goals, with half of them probably being goal of the season contenders. There's no doubt that this season has been one of Bale's best; Spurs will need to keep him if they want to aim for Champions League football next season, or if in fact they do qualify this year. Bale is like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in ways - he makes dribbling and everything he does easy, with a venomous left foot and such grace and balance when he plays. It's hard to believe that Spurs were set to loan him out to Birmingham at one point earlier in his career - now the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are after his services. He surely will sweep the board and win this award and quite frankly, I can't think of a more deserving winner.

A note on the other contenders - it is nice to see Carrick nominated, a pleasant surprise. He has been outstanding this season, and having ousted his way back into contention for the England squads, it is very much deserved. He has been the unsung hero of United's campaign, with all of the limelight mainly on their star signing Robin van Persie - who's nomination is nothing than you expected but is equally deserved. Suarez has been stellar all season and profilic, whilst Mata and Hazard have been at the heart of Chelsea's campaign, the clogs in the machine of their midfield. One player that should have been nominated I felt is Swansea's Michu - he is one, if not, of the signings of the summer, and has been prolific since his arrival in Wales. Outstanding striker, and does deserve a mention.

Who do you think will swoop the prestigious Player of the Year? Let me know!