Manchester United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick has said that competition for places in midfield have made it difficult for him to select Juan Mata since his arrival as head coach.
Mata has only made four appearances for the 20-time English champions during the 2021-22 campaign, two of which have been in the Champions League, with his last outing coming against Young Boys in December.
The Spaniard also featured against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup at the start of February, but he has not played a single minute of Premier League football this term.
Rangnick has said that the 33-year-old is "very popular" at the club, but the competition for spots in his position have made it difficult to hand him regular action.
"Well, he is also very popular in our group. I think everybody likes Juan a lot, and he can still play on this level, but it's a question of competition," Rangnick told reporters.
"We have quite a few players for those midfield places and I will also have to decide and choose between five or six players for the places for tomorrow's game."
Mata's contract at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of the season, and it has been claimed that he could be offered the chance to become a coach with the 20-time English champions.
Matt Law
