Even though Juan Mata has made just two starts for Manchester United this season, I still think he could play regular football elsewhere.
Maybe not in the Premier League, in which he is yet to play a single minute this term, but definitely across Europe and the US.
The Spaniard signed a new contract in the summer but there’s no way he put pen to paper for such little game time.
At 33-years-old, Mata is unlikely to give any barking orders to kick up a fuss. He’s always been a model professional throughout his time in England – at Chelsea and now United.
Journalist and friend of Stretty News, Jonathan Shrager, claims Mata is set to remain a United player beyond the January transfer window.
As things stand at this moment, there seems a good chance that Mata will stay at MUFC until the summer. I am told that there are currently no talks regarding a possible January transfer
— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) January 4, 2022
According to the Daily Mail, Mata has offers to go out on loan to Spain and MLS this month.
The time is right to let Mata go
Extending Mata’s contract in the summer made absolutely no sense.
It was inevitable when signed that he wouldn’t play a lot of football this season.
Let’s not forget that this isn’t a 38-year-old who is set to retire. Mata is six years younger than that and probably still fancies himself to play at the highest level.
When you see how David Silva has almost changed his position playing for Real Sociedad in the latter stages of his career, you can’t help but wonder why Mata is sat on the bench – or not even making the matchday squad?
Mata is out of contract at the end of the season.
