Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata may be forced to leave the club if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer becomes the permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho, believes former coach Rene Meulensteen.
The Spanish ace has made just four starts in all competitions since the Norwegian took the reins on an interim basis in mid-December.
Maestro Mata has always been known for his playmaking, totting up 50 assists during his seven-and-a-half season career in the Premier League.
Out of contract in the summer, his future was already up in the air and with Solskjaer re-introducing a high-energy attacking style to the Red Devils, which had been absent under Mourinho, the 30-year-old is now having to settle for a spot on the first-team fringes.
And Meulensteen feels Mata may have to move on if Solskjaer is taken on in a full-time capacity.
Speaking exclusively to 888sport, he said: “Ole obviously had a good look at the squad and he wants to play with a lot of energy and a lot of pace.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Mata and think he’s a great player but it just might be that Mata doesn’t fit in the picture that Ole sees.
“That is obvious otherwise he would have played more often and at some point you have to refresh your squad in certain areas.”
Read the full 888sport interview with Rene Meulensteen, and this thoughts on how quick-thinking Lingard is the ‘English Iniesta’