Could United take advantage of Juan Mata's baffling situation at Chelsea by rescuing him from his Stamford Bridge hell in the New Year? Two-time Chelsea Player of the Year in 2012 and again in 2013, and named in last season's PFA Team of the Year, the Spain international has inexplicably found himself on the fringes under Jose Mourinho. Against Southampton, Mata played 90 minutes of football for only the first time this season, having had to settle for a spot on the substitutes' bench in matches prior. He didn't even play a single minute in crunch games against Manchester City and United, suggesting Mourinho doesn't consider him a big game player - could the latter therefore test the Blues' resolve to hang on to the winger in January? United were linked with Mata over the summer when Mourinho came calling for Wayne Rooney, and a potential player-swap deal was mooted. Given Rooney's recent form for the Reds though, that offer will likely not be considered in January, though a straight-cash deal for Mata always remains a possibility as long as he isn't playing. Do United need a new winger in January? Who should they sign if Angel Di Maria is unavailable? Let us know in the comment section, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
