Midfielder Juan Mata is very close to leaving Manchester United whereas Luke Shaw, who returned from injury, has impressed new manager Jose Mourinho.
Juan Mata’s future has been in jeopardy ever since Jose Mourinho was announced as Manchester United manager, and it seems that he is nearing an Old Trafford exit this summer. In other United related news, defender Luke Shaw successfully returned from injury to clock 45 minutes in a friendly against Wigan at the JW Stadium.
Mata has emerged as a target for Spanish side Espanyol
The Spanish midfielder may be on his way back to his homeland as La Liga outfit Espanyol are interested in the player (via Goal). Mata was brought to Old Trafford by manager David Moyes for a then club-record fee of £37.2 million, and had an immediate impact at the club. It was Jose Mourinho who let go of the Spaniard during his time at Stamford Bridge, and speculation in the media is pointing towards history repeating itself.
Mata would certainly be a valuable addition to the Espanyol side, but would cause the Manchester outfit a huge loss if they are to let go of the player. Coming at a staggering fee of close to £40 million, the Spaniard’s value could be halved due to his unsettled two and a half seasons at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho praises Luke Shaw after the defender returned from a ten-month injury layoff
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw suffered a career-threatening double leg-break in September 2015, which saw him miss the entire 2015/16 season. Ever since that setback, Shaw has gradually shown signs of progress and finally played for the first-team, when United took on Wigan in a friendly on the 16th of July. He clocked 45 minutes on the field of play, and impressed a number of fans around the world as well as manager Jose Mourinho.
According to the Daily Mail, the Portuguese said:
“When I found Luke at the training ground it was a surprise because I thought he couldn’t be ready to train without any type of limitation but he did fantastically well in the summer.
“He sacrificed his holiday. He was at the training ground every day putting himself in condition. Of course, you lose a bit of sharpness and confidence but he is trying hard.
“He was mad to play for more but for me it is better to play 45 safe minutes than more, so let’s go step by step,” added Mourinho.
The player himself had a few words to say about his return, and suggested that he was happy to be playing again.
“It feels really good. I think in the last couple of weeks we’ve been training really hard.
“It was a really tough last eight or nine months until I got out on the training pitch and, ever since then, I haven’t looked back. From now on I’m just going to look forward and carry on doing what I did last year from the start.
“Everyone helped from the club and from outside the club. My family and friends played a massive part in it.
“I’ve said it before but here’s a big ‘thank-you’ to the staff who have looked after me really well and have got me back on the pitch,” said the 21-year old.