According to a recent report by the Mirror, Manchester United could be forced to allow Juan Mata to join Juventus in January. It is understood that the Spanish midfielder’s contract at Old Trafford is set to expire at the end of this current campaign and so he would be free to speak to non-English clubs as he would be entering the final six months of his current deal with the Red Devils.
Mata’s Potential Departure: A Huge Blow For Man United?
The 30-year-old has put in some eye-catching displays under Jose Mourinho this season, and thus it is baffling to see a club of United’s stature letting a player of Mata’s ability run down his contract with the club. It will be a massive blow for the Reds of Manchester to lose one of their first-team stars next summer which is why Mourinho should do everything in his power to convince the Spaniard to commit his long-term future to the club.
The Spaniard Has Lacked Consistency
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner has made ten appearances for Man United this season, scoring two goals while creating one assist across all competitions. He has impressed at times but has not been able to score or create goals on a consistent basis as evidenced by his record this term.
What Does Mata Add To Mourinho’s Team?
At the age of 30, Mata still has a lot to offer as a facilitator and can be considered as one of the best playmakers in the Premier League right now. He has a keen eye for a telling pass in the attacking third while his delivery from set-pieces is also quite accurate. However, the Spaniard has lost a lot of pace and can be caught ball-watching at times which hasn’t helped United on the defensive front.
Why The Red Devils Cannot Afford To Let Him Leave
Despite his off-the-ball shortcomings, Mata is still an integral member of Mourinho’s first-team, and therefore his departure could leave a significant void in the Red Devils squad next summer. Hence, the Portuguese manager either needs to convince his prized asset to stay beyond the end of this campaign or bring in a suitable replacement capable of filling Mata’s shoes at Old Trafford.
