KEY POINTS

  • Juan Mata's time at Old Trafford may be coming to an end in January
  • Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford's return will push him further down the roster
  • Manchester United acquired Mata back in 2014 from Chelsea

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is reportedly considering leaving the club due to lack of playing time and roster security.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News first reported Mata’s displeasure with his diminished role in the club's current makeup.

“This season is almost certain to be Mata's last at United as he is out of contract in June and turns 34 in April, but he is understood to be open to a move in the January transfer window unless he figures more regularly,” Luckhurst wrote.

It is understandable why Mata would look for a move away from Old Trafford at this point in his career.

Edinson Cavani is once again fit to play and is expected to play a heavy role alongside the likes of Paul Pogba in the midfield.

Manchester United will also be welcoming back Marcus Rashford as soon as his doctors give him the green light to rejoin the team.

The Red Devils have had a terrible start to their UEFA Champions League bid after losing to Switzerland-based Young Boys and saw them crash out of the Carabao Cup thanks to West Ham United.

Overall, the Old Trafford side has lost three games out of four after last weekend’s loss to Aston Villa in an English Premier League matchup.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need to tweak his rotations and tighten it up if they hope to defeat Villareal at home this Wednesday, September 29 in a Champions League fixture.

Mata will once again be surely left out of the first team for their match against Villareal at Old Trafford on Wednesday, September 29 as Solskjaer will most likely stick to his guns and give guys like Jadon Sancho more playing time.

Chelsea sold Mata to Manchester United back in the January transfer window of 2014 for a fee of €46 million ($53.8 million) after he fell out of favor with then Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

For the time being, Mata will help Sancho get familiarized with the system as Manchester United’s most expensive transfer signee this summer continues to struggle with Solskjaer’s game plans.

RELATED STORIES