Juan Mata could yet earn a reprieve and a new 12-month contract after impressing interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford. The Spain midfielder is able to talk to clubs on the continent this month about joining on a free transfer when his Manchester United contract elapses in June.
Mata was on the periphery under former boss Jose Mourinho and his camp have been left frustrated by a lack of constructive talks in recent weeks, as the Red Devils struggled for a run of decent results. Solskjaer, however, has quickly been impressed by Mata’s attitude during training since his appointment just before Christmas and there are even suggestions the Norwegian feels the former Valencia and Chelsea man still has a lot to offer the Manchester giants.
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Mata earns a high salary of £170,000-per-week and United do not want to pay that much for someone who is now 30 and only ever considered a squad player at best.
There is interest in the playmaker back in his homeland and United have been hedging their bets until now, hoping Solksjaer can inform their decision on whether to retain Mata, who they still reckon could have a market value of around £25m in the current transfer climate.
