Juan Mata Back in Man Utd XI but Still Faces Fight for Future at Old Trafford

It seems strange to talk about a player who was Manchester United's record signing less than a year ago possibly leaving the club.

It appears even more out of place when you consider he has scored 11 goals in 29 games from midfield since his move from Chelsea in January. 

But Juan Mata is still unsure of his place at Old Trafford. And once the January transfer window opens in a couple of weeks, there are sure to be stories linking the Spaniard with a move here, there and everywhere.

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The pressure on his place has come from his manager, Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman has signed Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Radamel Falcao to add competition in the attacking positions. 

The United manager has also shown himself to be a ruthless decision-maker. He was quick to axe Danny Welbeck—England striker, Manchester boy and academy graduate—selling him to top-four rivals Arsenal.

With that in mind, you imagine he would have no problem offloading Mata.

Mata's quality is undoubted. You don't win the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Chelsea's Player of the Year award twice if you can't play a bit. 

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The issue, though, is whether he fits into Van Gaal's long-term plans. It's difficult to see how Mata, Falcao, Di Maria, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie can all fit into the same team.

Someone, you imagine, will always have to miss out. And in the games when they've all been fit and available this season, Mata has been the one to end up on the bench.

He's not Van Gaal's signing, rather a player he inherited from David Moyes. Of the others, Rooney is his captain and Van Persie a personal favourite.

The United fans wouldn't want to see Mata go. Above all, he's a genuinely nice guy. One of the nicest in football. 

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He writes a personal blog every Monday to better connect with fans. A United fan Twitter account started a campaign on social media recently to get Mata to "give them a wave." Naturally, he responded. He's that kind of footballer.

Mata has started United's last five games. But during that time, Falcao has been recovering from a calf injury while Di Maria has picked up a hamstring strain. Both are now available, along with Rooney and Van Persie.

And, as a consequence, Mata faces a nervous wait to see if he'll retain his place for Newcastle's visit to Old Trafford on Boxing Day. 

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It looks likely that United will be back in Europe next season. That means more games, more opportunities for Van Gaal to rotate his squad and more chances for players who are not guaranteed a place in the best XI.

But until then, Mata faces five months of being in and out of the team. There is nothing wrong with competition for places. Van Gaal will tell you it helps get the best out of players.

Now the squad is returning to full strength, it's a challenge Mata must take up. He's not guaranteed his place at United. It's down to him to change that.