Manchester United Transfer News: Juan Mata Future Discussed by Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has said Juan Mata has a future at Manchester United as long as he wants to remain at Old Trafford and discussed the Spaniard's sale during his time as Chelsea boss. 

Per Sky Sports' Patrick Surlis, the Special One said:

"

He's here and he works hard. He knows that I know he is a good player and he has space in the squad.

Until August 31 the market is open for every one of my players that is not happy, but to be fair I think he is [happy].

I think he is happy and I am not expecting him to ask to leave. I am expecting him to do what he is doing now, which is to fight for a place.

In the end there will be space for everyone, we have 38 matches in the Premier League, we expect to play a lot of them in the Europa League and domestic cups so in a squad of, let's say, 22 players, there will be a space for everyone. So, yes, there is a space for Juan.

"

Mourinho sold the playmaker to United in January 2014 just six months after he returned to Chelsea for a second spell, despite Mata having won the club's player of the year award in both of the two years prior.

It was widely expected the Spaniard would be among the high-profile casualties of Mourinho's move to Old Trafford. Henrikh Mkhitaryan's arrival did little but fuel the speculation, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

The Armenian is not only quicker than Mata but also supremely creative and a more prolific goalscorer—he bagged an incredible 23 goals and 32 assists in all competitions last season.

His work rate cannot be disputed, either, per WhoScored.com:

However, the Portuguese explained that he did not push Mata out the door at Stamford Bridge: "I never pressed the club to sell him. It was his decision and only his decision."

Mourinho added: "If the player doesn't want to be with us, goodbye—be happy where you want to go. Juan at our previous club was not so happy because he was not my first choice at that time. He wanted to play every game."

Sang Tan/Associated Press

The 28-year-old has perhaps never hit the same heights with United that he did with Chelsea, though amid David Moyes and Louis van Gaal's largely disastrous reigns in charge his struggles have been understandable and shared among many of the other Red Devils stars.

The Dutchman's decision to frequently deploy him on the right flank rather than in the centre—where he lacked the pace to have the same impact—didn't help. 

Nevertheless, he notched a respectable 10 goals—including a strike in the FA Cup final—and 11 assists in all competitions last season, making him one of United's most productive players.

While Mata will no doubt be encouraged by the news that he has a place for the forthcoming campaign—and with United set to battle on multiple fronts he should have opportunities to shine—he's not likely to be first choice.

Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney are sure to be ahead of him in the attacking-midfield pecking order, which could lead to Mata seeking a move away as he did at Chelsea.

The Spaniard may not be forced out of the door at Old Trafford, but he may not be staying there for the long term either.