NFLNBAMLBNHLWNBASoccerGolf
Featured Video
Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 08:  Robin van Persie and Juan Mata of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at The Hawthorns on March 8, 2014 in West Bromwich, England.  (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Robin van Persie and Juan Mata of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at The Hawthorns on March 8, 2014 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Manchester United Transfer News: Juan Mata, Robin Van Persie Exit Rumours Grow

Nick AkermanMar 11, 2015

Juan Mata, Robin van Persie, Rafael and Radamel Falcao are "facing the exit door" at Manchester United, according to James Dickenson of the Express.

Dickenson believes boss Louis van Gaal will be handed a budget of £150 million to improve his team during the summer, even if United fail to make the Champions League for a second successive season. The aforementioned players could feel the effects of this, with a third consecutive summer of change likely to arrive.

Mata's Old Trafford career is progressing similarly to that of Shinji Kagawa, who exited prior to this season after being afforded limited opportunities in his favoured playmaker role. Van Gaal last started Mata during the 3-0 FA Cup win over Cambridge United on Feb. 3, a game in which he scored the opener.

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 04:  Manchester United substitute Juan Mata looks on before the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park on March 4, 2015 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.  (Photo b

The crafty technician's influence has been limited since then, undoubtedly a frustrating occurrence for many supporters.

Mata can interlink United's midfield and forward lines seamlessly by threading together short interchanges.

He is one of the side's best natural passers and most comfortable in possession. His presence, however, would likely force Van Gaal into ditching his continued long-ball tactics.

Strikers Van Persie and Falcao can be marked as two of United's biggest disappointments this season. The former has struggled his way to 10 Premier League goals, playing laboured football with his back to goal.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20:  A dejected Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao García of Manchester United prepare to restart after conceding the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester Unit

Falcao—who joined on loan from Monaco in the summer—has appeared weak and hampered by his unfortunate run of injuries across the last couple of years. Together, they summarise a lethargic, sluggish United attack.

Falcao failed to make it off the bench during the side's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal on Monday. Instead, he put in a disappointing performance for United's under-21 side on Tuesday, per David McDonnell of the Mirror:

Rafael also appeared in this match and scored an absolute beauty, tweeted by World Soccer Talk:

The Brazilian has proved to be unreliable at right-back over the years. He is the type of player who will make an excellent tackle and then invite pressure on the team by picking up a needless booking.

Van Gaal has preferred Antonio Valencia—a winger by trade—but the Ecuadorean's recent mistake against Arsenal could see Rafael provided another chance. Valencia's poor back pass allowed former United striker Danny Welbeck to score the winning goal for the Gunners, suggesting Rafael could be brought in from the wilderness.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26:  Rafael of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on October 26, 2014 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

McDonnell believes Van Gaal has five Premier League games to save his job: Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Manchester City. Mixing his team up with the likes of Mata, Falcao and Rafael could be key to extending his tenure, and indeed, that of his players.

United have enough talent to be successful, but it's now up to Van Gaal to slot everything together. His tactical nous has long been missing this season, much like many of the stars who can fire United to a top-four place.

Mbappé's Rollercoaster Season 🎢

TOP NEWS

Real Madrid CF v Girona FC - LaLiga EA Sports
Real Betis V Real Madrid - Laliga Ea Sports
United States v Japan - International Friendly
FIFA World Cup 2026 Venues - New York New Jersey Stadium

TRENDING ON B/R