Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Breaking Down Newest Juan Mata Speculation

It's been a quiet summer for Manchester United sans Wayne Rooney's constant running (away) in place, but Juan Mata has the potential to change that in an instant. 

According to ESPN's Miguel Delaney, the 25-year-old Chelsea midfielder is on the radar of David Moyes and Manchester United:

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Manchester United have made an informal inquiry to Chelsea about the possibility of bringing Juan Mata to Old Trafford this transfer window, sources from both clubs have told ESPN.

It is unknown at this point whether the contact has been part of the ongoing Wayne Rooney saga, or whether the English champions would be open to a long-mooted straight swap between the players, just that their interest has been piqued and they believe a deal could be possible.

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Mata is world class through-and-through, so this rumour will beguile Manchester United fans, but does it actually have legs?

Well, that's still a bit of a mystery. 

The fact that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, per Delaney, ranks Mata as one of his three favorite players at Stamford Bridge suggests the Spaniard probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. 

But then you have Thursday's earlier rumour from Sky Sports' Bryan Swanson:

If the Blues are able to wrangle Willian's signature, would the addition of the 25-year-old Brazilian winger give Chelsea enough depth in the midfield to let go of Mata if it meant signing the elite striker—Rooney—they have coveted all summer?

It's at least worth talking about at this point. 

So, what exactly would Mata bring to Old Trafford?

In 35 EPL appearances with Chelsea last season, he scored 12 goals, tallied 12 assists, created an astounding 95 chances—30 more than any Chelsea player and 24 more than any Manchester United player—and completed 85 percent of his passes, according to Squawka. 

He is more effective playing in the center of the pitch behind a striker, but if Manchester United want to play him at the same time as Shinji Kagawa, he could also move to the wing and still act as his normal playmaking self. 

There's always the belief that a potential Rooney-for-Mata swap isn't worth it because Chelsea arguably need a striker more than the Red Devils need an attacking midfielder. 

But anytime you can add someone with Mata's amalgam of elite passing, ball control, dribbling and creativity—even with less-than-ideal physical traits, he is one of the best midfielders in the EPL—in a swap for a player who is reportedly unhappy in his current situation, you do it. 

Whether that's actually possible is still somewhat unlikely at this point, but you need to pay attention to this rumour.