Mata has offers from Spain, Italy and USA ahead of expected summer United exit

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Juan Mata’s Manchester United contract expires at the end of the season, when he is expected to move abroad for regular football.

Mata said earlier this week that he has no plans to retire but misses playing regularly and wants more games.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Mata explained: “I haven’t been playing as much as I would like this season and I really miss it.

“I’m enjoying training with my team-mates and I really want to show that I can enjoy playing and giving what I can give to the team. I miss it and I still have a lot of passion and a lot of will to keep enjoying football.

“This is a dream come true to be a professional football player so I want to play as much as I can and I feel good, to be honest: mentally, physically, I am of course ready to perform, so hopefully soon.”

And reports have started to emerge about where Mata’s next move may take him.

ESPN claim that Mata has interest from Spain, including his former club Valencia as well as Real Oviedo.

But he apparently prefers a move elsewhere, and also is interesting both Milan clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.

That report says Mata wants to stay in Europe, but the Manchester Evening News say he has offers from MLS to play in America.

There is also interest from other unnamed Italian clubs but Mata is apparently going to wait until concrete offers are actually on the table.

We have been here before with Mata, expecting that he would leave when his deal expired at the end of last season, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed him a new contract.

That deal has not seen him play any more regularly and he has started only two matches this term; the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham in September and the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys in December.

Mata was thrown on late on into the Champions League last 16 loss against Atletico Madrid, and actually showcased his passing quality and composure on the ball.

He just does not have the legs to play the brand of football Erik ten Hag is likely to want to play and it is time for him to go somewhere and play regularly.