Are Manchester United right to let Juan Mata leave Old Trafford?

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The £37.1 million acquisition of Juan Mata in January 2014 came as a surprise to many Manchester United supporters. The Spaniard had been in scintillating form for Chelsea the previous season but, cast aside after the arrival of a new manager, decided to swap London for Manchester in search of first-team football. That manager was Jose Mourinho, who; presumably to the dread of Mata, has made a similar trip to the North West this summer, leaving the midfielder’s United future in serious doubt.

Mata has been heavily linked with a move to Everton over the past week, but reports today suggest that he is being offered to Juventus as part of the deal to sign Paul Pogba. This news will come as a disappointment to United supporters, with whom Mata has enjoyed a special relationship with over the last two and a half years. The midfielder has embraced life in Manchester, and his love of the city’s Northern Quarter, where he was regularly spotted, is something that has scored well with many within the city and its people.

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The arrival of Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund earlier this week appears to signal the end for the fan favourite, who is also a hugely popular figure within the dressing room, as Mourinho seeks to ring the changes at Old Trafford. Mkhitaryan signed a four-year-deal this week, and adds plenty of quality to a United attack which already features the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford. The Armenian international was the Bundesliga Player of the Season last year, and looks set to replace Mata ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Last season was testing at times for United supporters and Mata was one of few players that supporters could really identify with. Ten goals and eight assists in all competitions was a respectable return, and despite a foolish sending off in a 1-0 defeat to West Brom, Mata would have been pleased with how 2015/16 turned out. With a dearth of creative options under Van Gaal at times, Mata regularly shouldered the responsibility of assisting the strikers on his own. Whilst he may not be the type of player to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, his ingenuity is a huge asset for any side.

However, for all of the affinity towards the player, there is an acceptance around Old Trafford that Mourinho’s decision may be for the best. Mata fitted in well with Van Gaal’s slow possession-based game, but with the former Chelsea manager likely to base his system around organisation and defensive solidity, the ex-Valencia man may struggle to perform to the best of his ability.

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Two of the reasons suggested for why Mourinho did not take to him at Chelsea was that he lacked pace and was not
great defensively. As displayed with Willian at Chelsea, Mourinho values attackers who will work hard going backwards as well as forwards, and does not seem to have faith in the diminutive Spaniard to operate in such a way.

If United are to reach the next level and get back to challenging for the title, then the signature of Mkhitaryan is a step in the right direction. His quality has been evident during his time in the Bundesliga and his style definitely suits the Premier League. Although there is only a year between the two in age, it feels as though Mata has already reached his peak, whereas there appears to be more to come from Mkhitaryan. For this reason, in addition to the others at play, it may be time for United to put their loyalties aside and look to a player who can help them progress, with the aim of getting back into Europe’s elite.

Of course, the signing of Mkhitaryan does not have to mean Mata leaving. If reports are to be believed, he seems to be willing to fight for his place at the club. Whilst this is a real testament to the mentality of the player, it appears as though Mourinho has already made up his mind.

Mata has scored 26 goals in 104 games for United, and it looks as though May’s FA Cup Final win against Crystal Palace; in which he scored to take the game to extra-time, will be his last game for the club. Whether his next destination is Juventus, Everton, or back to his native Spain, Mata will always be remembered fondly at Old Trafford.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Juan Manuel Mata