January Transfer Window Scenarios for Manchester United's Juan Mata

Juan Mata's arrival at Manchester United was a statement of intent by David Moyes and Ed Woodward, when the Spanish international was purchased from Chelsea in the January transfer window.

But just nine months on, United have brought in an array of stars who threaten Mata's future with the club.

Much talk currently centres around Louis van Gaal's need for a box-to-box midfielder, with the names of Kevin Strootman and Arturo Vidal being repeated, like a scratched record.

And with Wayne Rooney's drop back into the No. 10 role—it really does seem that Mata could be surplus to requirements. 

Here, we take a look at some of the scenarios the diminutive attacker may find himself in during the next window:

Juan Mata sacrificed for Arturo Vidal

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Manchester United's flirtation with the world's top midfielders seems to have become an annual event now.

It took the club all of 12 months to finally land Ander Herrera, and Wesley Sneijder has been on the brink of becoming a Red Devil for many seasons, if you believe social media.

The Arturo Vidal affair has now reached new levels of gossip and rumour, with United prepared to chuck Juan Mata into a deal to finally land the Chile superstar, per Rob Dawson of The Manchester Evening News.

Interestingly, in Dawson's article, a running poll which asks if readers would swap Mata for Vidal currently stands at 61 percent to retain the Spaniard as a preference, at the time of writing. 

It seems that football fans have a very clear opinion that the best is yet to come from Mata.

But United are in desperate need of a world-class operator in the centre of the park, and considering the money the club have spent in recent times, it is not unfathomable to think that a star name could leave to facilitate a move for a player like Vidal.

Juventus appear keen on Mata, per Dawson, and Turin would be a good destination for the player, who would suit Serie A more than the high tempo of the Premier League.

Yes, Mata has proved he is more than talented enough to operate in England, but his lack of pace can be damaging if you ask him to play any other role besides the No. 10. 

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Rooney's drop back into the hole to accommodate Radamel Falcao is a huge problem for Mata if he wishes to get increased game time and if he wants to play in his best position.

Wayne's appointment as captain all but guarantees his involvement and if he cannot play as the striker, he will play in a withdrawn attacking role.

All of this adds up to bad news for Mata. As he felt he was undervalued by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, he may feel the same in the coming weeks about LvG.

Mata To Lead The Revolution In Valencia?

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When you read Juan Mata's blog, called One Hour Behind, it is clear that he is a cultured and intelligent individual, not necessarily influenced by the regular trappings of the common footballer.

Mata regularly writes about his love for his home and a return to his former club Valencia cannot be discounted.

The team are reported about to be taken over by billionaire businessman Peter Lim, who has significantly invested in the La Liga club already, and it is said he could move to bring Mata back to Valencia, per Barry Glendenning of The Guardian.

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Mata would slip easily into gear at the Mestalla. The club have started the season well and are unbeaten in La Liga—only second to Barcelona in the table, per Sky Sports.

His arrival would boost the club's assault on the Champions League positions and there is little doubt that his transfer value would have decreased since his huge move to United, making him an attractive recruit for Lim. 

Mata might feel after his experiences at Chelsea and United that he needs to be loved and appreciated more. And a return to his old club will see him cut a messiah figure as the team attempts to replicate their success and glory of years gone by. 

Mata Proves To Van Gaal He Is United's Best No. 10

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Rooney's suspension for his foolish red card against West Ham has come just at the right time for Mata.

The three-match absence of United's golden boy will give the Spaniard a chance to impress Van Gaal and force his way into the side on a more regular basis. 

Mata featured for United in the home win against Everton and played in his favoured No. 10 role, supporting Falcao and Robin van Persie.

But despite grabbing an assist, the player failed to shine brightly, scoring a seven out of 10 for his performance, per WhoScored.com.

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Mata's own place is under threat now from the in-form Adnan Januzaj, who could be preferred in the No. 10 role due to his pace and trickery.

And the young Belgian's goal threat was recently displayed when he scored an excellent hat-trick for the under-21 side. 

But if LvG plumps to stick with the more experienced Mata, against West Brom and Chelsea before Rooney's return, the Spaniard will need to show why United paid so much money for his services.

For the game against Chelsea, Van Gaal will probably set up in a more defensive formation, leaving Mata as the obvious odd man out, of the midfield. 

Time really is running out for Mata at Manchester United, and despite his wonderful talent he might just have been the right player at the wrong time, for the Reds. If Moyes had been given another season, it is possible we would not have seen the arrivals of Falcao and Angel Di Maria, leaving Mata as the talisman to feature behind either Rooney or RvP.

The next few weeks will be crucial as to whether Mata remains at Old Trafford, but the decision to let him stay or go may well have already been made by Van Gaal and his staff.