Manchester United’s new manager, Jose Mourinho, expects Juan Mata to remain at the club and fight for his place in the starting line-up next season.
The duo previously worked together during their time at Chelsea, with Spain international Mata leaving Stamford Bridge after falling out of favour in west London.
Speculation had gathered pace that the attacking midfielder would now be forced to leave Old Trafford following Mourinho’s appointment in May, but the Portuguese coach does not expect the player to leave the club this summer.
“He’s here and he works hard,” Mourinho told reporters. “He knows that I know he is a good player and he has space in the squad. Until August 31 the market is open for every one of my players that is not happy, but to be fair I think he is [happy].”
Mourinho is hopeful his side can go far in all three cup competitions this season, as well as mount a serious challenge for Premier League glory, which means he will need to utilise his squad on a regular basis, and he anticipates Mata will remain part of that rotation.
He continued: “In the end there will be space for everyone, we have 38 matches in the Premier League, we expect to play a lot of them in the Europa League and domestic cups so in a squad of, let’s say, 22 players, there will be a space for everyone.
So, yes, there is a space for Juan.” The Red Devils will kick-off the new domestic season against Premier League champions Leicester in the Community Shield on August 7, and they are available at 1.91 to win the match, while the Foxes are on offer at 3.80 and the draw is priced at 3.40.
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