Mata off to Spain ... but not until the summer — reports

Thoughtful blogger, snappy dresser, delicate footballer, regular goalscorer, considerate lover (well, we imagine) ... the charms of Juan Mata are myriad and manifold and, you might think, completely irresistible. But then, you're not Louis van Gaal. (Unless you are. Hi Louis. Nice to have you reading. Keep up the good work.)

There have been rumblings for a while about lovely little Juan's place in the United squad, that it might be less than secure, and that he might be on his way back to Spain. It's hard to escape the thought that Van Gaal, for whatever reason, just doesn't fancy him. And according to the Mirror, current Europa League champions Sevilla are plotting a January bid. Though their information is that United will reject any such chicanery out of hand ...

... until the summer, when they'll buy Kevin Strootman and ship Mata out. Apparently.

Now, presumably this is all contingent on two things. First, United actually being able to pick up Strootman (or some other replacement) next summer, which is obviously no certainty. And second, Mata failing to nail down a place in the first-team over the rest of this season. Over to you, Juan. Dazzle us.