United make approach for Blues star Mata

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Manchester United have made an approach for Juan Mata.

It follows reports that United are willing to pay £37m for the Chelsea playmaker, who has struggled to secure a first-team place under Blues boss Jose Mourinho this season.

Mourinho has publicly insisted that he wants Mata to stay at Stamford Bridge, but it is believed that Chelsea could consider a sale.

Mata was the club’s player of the year for the last two seasons and remains a firm favourite among fans.

He moved to west London from Valencia for £23.5m in August 2011 and has made 82 Premier League appearances, scoring 18 goals.

This season he has started only 14 matches, 11 of them in the league.

Mata moving to Old Trafford would increase speculation that United’s England star Wayne Rooney could end up at Chelsea.

Mourinho was keen to sign Rooney last summer and has been monitoring developments while the 27-year-old has been discussing a new contract.

Mata did not train with the rest of the Chelsea squad on Wednesday.

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