Juan Mata made his first league start of the campaign in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday.
The attacking midfielder waved at supporters when he was subbed off in the 73rd minute against the Bees.
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick admitted the Spaniard could leave after this season but stressed he “hasn’t confirmed” anything to the club so far.
The former Chelsea star’s contract expires on June 30th. Wednesday’s edition of Sport states he has decided against signing a new deal with the Red Devils as he wants to return to Spain in the summer.
It’s said the 35-year-old ‘always had in his mind’ to return to his country, when he arrived in England in 2011.
He must ‘choose his new destination’ in La Liga, where he has ‘three options’. Those are Valencia, Real Betis and Real Sociedad. These three clubs, who have sounded him out, have ‘followed’ Mata and are ‘attentive’ of his current situation.
However, the other two clubs have ‘more to offer’ from a sporting point of view, when compared to Los Ches.
Real Betis and Real Sociedad could both have European football next season. That is something Valencia will not be able to offer to Mata.
This could be an ‘extra attraction’ for the former two to convince the Manchester United man over a free transfer in the summer.
