Juan Mata was an unused substitute as Manchester United took on Fulham on Tuesday night.
At the end of the game, Mata looked a tad emotional as he waved to supporters in the stands.
It’s very possible this was a wave goodbye, with this acting as Mata’s farewell to Old Trafford.
Mata could and quite possibly will feature in a rotated team for United at the weekend against Wolves.
But that game will take place at Molineux, and no United supporters will be permitted to attend.
Mata will likely be an unused substitute again in the Europa League final, although he will be available if required.
His final appearance at Old Trafford was as a starter in United’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester a week ago.
Mata will get the opportunity to see travelling United supporters in Gdansk for the final. This was his final chance to see them at Old Trafford, if he does leave.
The Spaniard has been at United since joining from Chelsea in January 2014.
What does the future hold for Mata?
Mata’s contract expires at the end of June. United have an option to extend it by a further year, but nothing is decided.
It’s possible Mata does not know himself yet which path he will choose. If he is leaning towards an exit, then it explains why he looked emotional in the picture taken at Old Trafford after the full time whistle.
Solskjaer told the club website: “He’s not played as much as he’d like and that’s a decision that we’ll make with him.”
Perhaps, Mata’s wave was just that, a wave, to fans he had not seen for a year. But it could also have been a wave goodbye, and we will soon find out if that was the case.
David de Gea, pictured with Mata, also faces an uncertain future with United’s goalkeeping position uncertain. If this turns out to be a goodbye to Old Trafford for him too, at least he got the opportunity to play in front of supporters one final time.
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