Manchester United Transfer News: Juan Mata Rules out Exit, Latest on Marquinhos

The chances of Juan Mata leaving Manchester United look slim after the former Valencia star professed a fondness for his current setting, while new details have emerged regarding Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos.

Mata spoke to Spanish newspaper El Pais this week and was quizzed on whether he's considering a move back to La Liga but insisted he's enjoying himself too much in England to leave just yet, per the Daily Mail's Oliver Todd:

"

Right now I don't even think about it. I miss family, my friends, but for I'm very happy in Manchester. I have the feeling that I have just arrived here and I still have many things to do. Playing in England is a very positive experience. I advise every player to spend at least one year in the Premier League, because in terms of fans, the league, the structure, what football represents, it’s fantastic.

There is a special respect towards the player. It is incredible. You are playing a top-level team and even when you lose the fans still support you, looking forward to the next match. That gives you more eager to share the successes with them. It is different from Spain. Here they understand football in a very special way.

"

The Old Trafford faithful will surely hope that long remains Mata's outlook on the division following his performances this season, which have stood as being among the best in the team.

United sit third in the Premier League after three games, level on points with second-place Arsenal and having won just a game fewer than leaders Manchester City thus far.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It's admirable Mata's affection for the country hasn't been tainted by an unceremonious exit from Chelsea in January 2014, rising to rediscover his most potent attacking form this season.

The 27-year-old has scored three goals and recorded three assists playing largely off the right flank this term, but Squawka Dave has labelled the Spaniard his club's best player by some distance:

Manager Louis van Gaal will be desperate to see the playmaker remain a part of his setup for the foreseeable future and is undoubtedly happy to hear Mata hasn't got eyes on the exit sign just yet.

In terms of Old Trafford arrivals, the Red Devils may consider PSG's Marquinhos as a target this winter after Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini admitted his team can't afford to re-sign the Brazilian, per GianlucaDiMarzio.com:

"

First there was talk about Lamela, then Marquinhos and now even Benatia, I always liked Mehdi, I would take him back yes. But last year he left on bad terms with the club and the fan base... Marquinhos is also good, I would like him back too, but he's worth €60 million, he costs too much.

"

Claude Paris/Associated Press

The £44.4 million estimation may be outside Roma's realm of spending, but United would be more readily prepared to pay out such a fee should the club deem defensive reinforcements a priority in January.

Marquinhos, 21, is largely regarded as a player with massive potential, but the presence of compatriots Thiago Silva and David Luiz at the Parc des Princes has thus far impeded his progress in Paris.

Meanwhile, a resurgent Chris Smalling has come upon a rich vein of form alongside the transformed Daley Blind so far this season, with the Dutchman thriving after being shifted into central defence.

Marquinhos has made just four Ligue 1 starts this season, but Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson believes an injury recently suffered by Luiz could give him the chance needed to establish himself under Laurent Blanc:

Jonny Evans' summer departure to West Bromwich Albion freed up some space in defence while the Manchester United futures of Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are still being debated in some circles.

Blind looks to be more than a temporary solution at centre-back, too, after admitting to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf the defensive role has grown to become his favourite (h/t Daily Star's James Phillips):

"

Of course now I feel most comfortable in the centre-back position. There I play every week at Manchester United and I feel good. (But) I have not so much difficulty to play again at left-back, central defender or midfielder.

"

Claude Paris/Associated Press

The notion has long been held that central defence is an area in need of addressing for United, the club having lost former defensive bastions Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in quick succession.

In any case, it's good news for Val Gaal that Roma can be checked off the list of potential rivals in any pursuit of Marquinhos, whose future in Paris could be cast into doubt unless he's handed more responsibility.