Manchester United legend Gary Neville has suggested that Man Utd’s previously record breaking signing Juan Mata could leave Old Trafford, having been dropped from the starting line up to face Leicester City, as reported by the Daily Star.

The Spanish international was brought on as a substitute as Louis van Gaal’s side slipped to a 5-3 defeat to the newly promoted side.

Mata was tackled as Leicester broke for a goal in their win, and there are doubts over his future at Old Trafford.

Radamel Falcao was put into the starting line up in his place, and there is no obvious position for the £37.1 million signing if Man Utd use their recent summer signings.

Mata’s fee was a record breaking transfer when David Moyes brought him to the club, but it has since been surpassed by Angel Di Maria.

Neville therefore doubts whether he can break into the team, and with Juventus said to be lurking, Mata could yet depart.

Neville said: “He has done well, Mata, when he has played in central areas and his goalscoring record is good.

“But I always wondered whether he has a long-term future at United.

“When I watch him at Old Trafford, he isn’t dynamic enough and with Angel Di Maria in the team, they have to get Radamel Falcao in.”

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has made a surprise change in his opinion over the future of star Juan Mata, with the player now expected to stay at the club, despite suggestions that he would move on in January, as reported by the Daily Star.

Juventus had been heavily linked with a move for the midfield maestro, although there were also suggestions that Van Gaal was keen to use Mata as a possible makeweight in the intended move for Kevin Strootman, with a move to Roma therefore a possibility.

The Old Lady of Turin were thought to be willing to pay £24 million for the Spain international, a significant fall on the record breaking fee Man Utd paid to bring him to Old Trafford, but now Van Gaal is unwilling to let him depart as a result of his spectacular start to the new season.

Competition for places is still fierce at the club, and Mata will have to perform to keep his space in the side.

Manchester United are reportedly considering letting Juan Mata depart as a makeweight in their attempted bid for Netherlands midfielder Kevin Strootman, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Strootman is a long term target of Van Gaal’s, and the midfielder is clearly one of his favourite players in that role, considering the fact that he rejigged his entire tactical philosophy prior to the World Cup after Strootman suffered an injury.

Van Gaal is now considering letting Mata join Roma in an attempt to tempt the capital city club into approving a deal for Strootman, who the manager wants to sign in January.

Roma are thought to want Mata on a temporary basis on loan, with an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

While Juventus are also interested, Mata’s goalscoring display today may cause Van Gaal to reconsider.

Juventus are willing to pay £20 million for the Spanish international.

Mata’s £37 million transfer fee last January was a record breaking transfer for the Manchester club, although they have since shattered that by buying Angel Di Maria for £59.7 million from Real Madrid.