Juan Mata could turn down new deal at Manchester United, according to reports. The former Chelsea forward has played only a bit-part role following the sacking of Jose Mourinho and has made just three Premier League starts since the appointment of interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United are unbeaten and have won nine of their 10 games under the Norwegian who has reshaped his side’s attack around the pace of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, as well as the playmaking abilities of Paul Pogba.
Despite his reduced role, the Telegraph claim Mata’s preference would be to remain at Old Trafford but is unhappy with the current offer a 12-month extension. Mata worked under Arsenal manager Unai Emery during their time together at Valencia and is said to be considering his options before making a definitive decision on his future. United, meanwhile, are close to securing the services of Ashley Young for another year with the 33-year-old close to agreeing a new deal.
The 33-year-old has been handed the captain’s armband in recent weeks with Antonio Valencia out of favour and likely to leave the club in the summer. Mata’s compatriot, Ander Herrera, meanwhile, is also expected to sign a new deal and commit his long-term future to United. Speaking about the impact Solskjaer has made since succeeding Mourinho, Herrera said earlier this week: ‘We are very happy with him – everyone feels free. It’s something the manager is working on a lot. They’re insisting a lot on the work between us three to make the others players feel free, even Paul, he can feel free if Nemanja and me work together good.
‘Paul is feeling free because Nemanja and me and the centre backs are all the time controlling the opponent’s attack. I think Marcus Rashford feels free, Jesse (Lingard) feels free, Alexis (Sanchez) also, Juan (Mata) the other day he played and he was moving everywhere. We’re playing with a lot of freedom, this is one of the things he is talking about every day.’
Meanwhile, Manchester United youngster Dean Henderson has caught the eye of Bayern Munich and Juventus with a series of impressive performances on loan at Championship side Sheffield United this season, according to reports. The 21-year-old, who joined the club as a youngster in 2011, enjoyed a successful loan spell at League One side Shrewsbury Town last season. He joined Sheffield United over the summer and has played a key role in the push for promotion at Bramall Lane, starting every single Championship game this season.
And according to ESPN, the performances of Henderson have alerted Bayern and Juventus – both moving past the days of Manuel Neuer and Gianluigi Buffon respectively – as well as Arsenal and Tottenham. Think he will be leaving United? Check out the best odds on sites like Bet365. Henderson was handed a new two-year deal by Man United over the summer following a superb season at Shrewsbury during which he was named in the League One team of the year and reached the play-off final.