Juan Mata to Arsenal: The Manchester United midfielder’s contract expires this summer, and the player could reportedly join Arsenal.
Manchester United have recovered fairly well after a shaky start to the season. However, Mourinho still faces the task of building upon the momentum.
United won three consecutive games across all competitions, including a victory at Turin against Juventus in the Champions League earlier this week.
Juan Mata has been central to the win against the Italian champions, as he changed the game with his arrival late in the second half. Mata scored a free-kick goal, which shifted the momentum for Manchester United.
The Spaniard also scored the first goal in the comeback win against Newcastle United, which was coincidentally free-kick as well.
However, Mourinho could face a huge setback as it has been reported by a leading English media outlet that Mata could be on his way out.
Juan Mata to Arsenal:
The Spanish midfielder joined Manchester United from Chelsea in 2014, when Jose Mourinho was the boss at Stamford Bridge. After the arrival of Mourinho, Juan Mata may have played an important role as a squad player, but failed to make it to the first team.
Even when he was crucial to the win against Juventus, Mata came off the bench late in the second half.
It is now being reported by TalkSPORT that Juan Mata could leave Manchester United on a free this summer. According to the report, Mata will join Arsenal at the end of the season.
The Spaniard’s contract with the club expires this summer, and there has been no substantial deal in place for Mata from the Manchester United board.
He wouldn’t be the first player to leave United for Arsenal under Mourinho, however.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was part of the swap deal which saw Alexis Sanchez joining United from Arsenal earlier this year.
Juan Mata has played under Unai Emery in the past, and has been appreciative of his style of play on multiple occasions.
What next?
Mata’s departure could be unsettling for Mourinho, as multiple reports have stated that Mourinho identifies Mata and Herrera as an important part of the Manchester United dressing room.
Evening Standard reported a few weeks ago that Mourinho wants a new contract for both the Spanish midfielders, as he values their role both on and off the pitch.
Mourinho’s side, meanwhile, will take on city rivals Manchester City in the Premier League later tonight.
