Mata started on the bench in his side’s fixture against Leicester City on Sunday, which United lost 5-3 after manager Louis Van Gaal decided to play loanee Radamel Falcao up front alongside Robin van Persie.
And Despite the Premier League outfit spending a monstrous £37.1 million to sign the Spain international from Chelsea earlier this year, former United defender Gary Neville has hinted that the club could sell Mata during the winter transfer window.
‘He has done well, Mata, when he has played in central areas and his goalscoring record is good,’ Neville said.
‘But I always wondered whether he has a long-term future at United.
‘When I watch him at Old Trafford, he isn’t dynamic enough and with Angel Di Maria in the team, they have to get Radamel Falcao in.’
Italian champions Juventus are said to be the most likely club to sign Mata should he leave sometime during the next transfer window, with reports suggesting the Serie A outfit are keen on luring the midfielder abroad.
By Ollie Carroll
Twitter: @Ollie_Carroll_
