Juan Mata is not necessarily on his way out of Manchester United, despite interest from Everton.
The Daily Mail report that the Spaniard is hoping to convince Jose Mourinho that he’s worth his place at Old Trafford, but his future increasingly looks like it could be away from the Theatre of Dreams.
Even last season, Mata’s role was somewhat unclear as he struggled under Louis van Gaal.
And Mourinho’s appointment has only worsened the situation, as it was the Portuguese boss who sold Mata to United in the first place because he wasn’t part of his plans at Chelsea.
It’s no surprise that Everton want the midfielder, as he has worked with new Toffees manager Ronald Koeman in the past at Valencia.
Mata needs a mentor at this stage in his career, and he’s unlikely to find one in Mourinho.
It was Koeman who started him off on his road to success, so perhaps the Dutch manager will be able to rejuvenate him now.
For Everton, it would be a shrewd signing as Gareth Barry is ageing and they have already released veteran midfielder Leon Osman.
The Premier League is still coming to terms with Everton’s new-found riches, but they had better get used to it soon. The Toffees – and Koeman in particular – clearly mean business, and this is just the latest manifestation of that.
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