The injuries are starting to really pile up for Manchester United right now, with the news about Juan Mata today confirming what some had already suspected. The Spanish midfielder underwent groin surgery at the beginning of the month, and while some maintained hope that he could return for the final push, such is not the case.
Mata is now lost for the season.
“End of May,” Manager Jose Mourinho said at a news conference following United’s draw with Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League last night.
“And Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, mid-May.”
#MUFC's @juanmata8 has had surgery for a groin injury. Further updates on his recovery will follow in due course. #MUFC. pic.twitter.com/nD2KQ5aBCR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 31, 2017
Juan Mata is a very important and underrated piece of the United puzzle. It was thought he was out of the door when Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal, but Mata has consistently found his place in the first team. The Spaniard’s setback could not have come at a worse time, with United facing both a heavy workload and a rash of injuries.
Mata is the second player to reach double figure scoring for United this season (in all competitions) behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
He’s also the team’s second leading scorer, so this is a huge loss for the Red Devils
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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