Almost since the lad joined Manchester United there has been speculation about him leaving again. And reports over the weekend suggest that Atletico Madrid are now keen to sign Juan Mata this summer. The Sun reports:
ATLETICO MADRID are lining up a bid to take Juan Mata back to La Liga.
The Spanish champions will test Manchester United’s desire to keep the £37.1million midfielder just 13 months after he arrived as a record signing.
From Manchester United’s point of view it’s a tricky one. Mata is popular amongst the fans and has scored 12 goals in just 37 appearances – that’s a really decent return for a midfielder in a side which isn’t performing.
Another factor is the sell on fee. Manchester United will do extremely well to get anywhere near the £37.1m they paid for him just over a year ago.
Because, apart from the goals, his overall contribution and impact on games hasn’t been that good. For that sort of money you expect to get a player who is able to command the game – at least the odd game.
But Mata has never dominated a match for Manchester United. Too often he goes missing in the big games and we regularly struggle to find a pace for him in our best United XI because he lacks the dynamism and pace for The Premier League.
We feel that Diego Simeone could get the best out of him in a squad that doesn’t have so many number tens.
Mata is a lovely chap and a decent player. But we would take the the money and run. Or swap him with the superb Koke.
Let’s see Mata in action. Manchester United fans: keep or sell?
