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Manchester United have confirmed via their official website that they have offered midfielder Juan Mata a new contract.
With other long-serving players such as Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera leaving the club this summer, many had thought Mata might be on the way out the door too, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer clearly feels the 31-year-old can still play a role in his squad next season.
Reported by Spotrac to be earning £160,000-a-week last term, he is one of the club’s highest earners and surely will have to show more of an influence on the team next season to justify staying at Old Trafford.
Unfortunately for Man United fans, it’s hard to see how he can do that.
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On the chalkboard
Mata made just 20 starts for the club last season, playing regularly under Jose Mourinho before being used more sparingly after Solskjaer’s arrival at the club.
With the new Man United boss opting to play two strikers or a front three, Mata often toiled in that system, even in matches United ended up winning well.
Frankly the former Chelsea man looked well off the pace in most of his appearances, slowing down play for the Red Devils in the final third rather than finding the confidence or combination with teammates to truly make an impact.
In the end he produced his lowest single-season goals and assists tally at the club to date, leaving no-one in any doubt that he is a player in decline. He’s not the kind of player the club should be paying such a heavy wage to either.
United’s future
Any Manchester United revival under Solskjaer is going to be one built from the ground up and getting rid of squad players like Mata should have been the first step for the Old Trafford club.
Why they see a future for him in Manchester is slightly baffling, especially when you consider the club appear to be targeting players who are young, hungry and eager to take the next step in their careers.
Mata simply doesn’t fit into the team or that new culture and although they do need some experience to help youngsters coming into the team, the Spaniard doesn’t play enough as it is to have an influence in that regard.
Right now, the smart money would be on Mata both not playing as many games next season as he did last, but also producing just as little a direct goal contribution too.
Man United need to re-assess their squad priorities.