Manchester United are again being linked with frozen out Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata. The Daily Mail says Chelsea's summer pursuit of Wayne Rooney included a promise that the 25-year old could be included in a part-exchange deal. Manchester United were only interested in hanging on to Rooney at the time but could now see Mata as the answer to their search for more craft in midfield.

The problem for United, and some of Mata's continental admirers, is that Chelsea will examine whether they will be strengthening the hand of potential Champions' League rivals before deciding whether to let him go.