Man Utd consider 'ripping up Juan Mata's contract' as star eyes La Liga return

Juan Mata is the forgotten man at Manchester United - but could be about to leave sooner than expected.

The Spanish playmaker has six months left on his Old Trafford deal after being handed a contract extension by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But Mata is not set to be awarded fresh terms after making just two starts for the Red Devils all season.

And it has now emerged that he could leave as soon as January with a return to Spain looking increasingly likely for the much-loved midfielder.

The Sun claim Real Sociedad want to make an ambitious move for Mata, who has not featured at all in the Premier League this season.

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And La Real are looking to convince United to 'tear up' the Spaniard's contract so they can acquire his talents in the January transfer window ahead of an important La Liga run-in.

The Basque club are currently sixth in the Spanish top flight and have a serious chance of making the top four and Champions League qualification.

And the experience of Mata could seriously enhance Imanol Alguacil's side's chances during the second half of the season.

New Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick is extremely unlikely to block a switch for a player that is seldom utilised but a January move would force Mata to take a hefty pay-cut on his lucrative contract.

However, 33-year-old Mata knows time is running out in his illustrious career and a move back to his homeland after 10 years in England could prove an attractive proposition.

Mata hasn't played regularly for United for over two seasons now and has seen huge sums spent on attacking talent at Old Trafford in recent years.

Cash-strapped Barcelona are also said to be interested in Mata despite already completing a move for Manchester City's Ferran Torres.

A move to Spain looks probable at this stage, but it is unclear whether Mata will be packing his bags in the summer or as early as next month.

News over La Real's plans to accelerate a transfer for Mata comes after the Spaniard was named as one of three recipients of the UEFA Equal Game award.

The award promotes inclusion and diversity within football and Mata's off-the-field work with his charity Common Goal has received worthy recognition.

Mata said: "I was proud of the work that our organisations are doing there and proud of the stories of people that have overcome difficult problems.

"This is what we want to do through Common Goal, give people choice to decide their futures."