How Henrick Mkhitaryan's imminent arrival at Old Trafford will effect Juan Mata

News broke early on Monday morning that Manchester United had agreed a £26.3 million fee with Borussia Dortmund for Armenian play maker Henrick Mkhitaryan. The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder enjoyed a fantastic season in the Bundesliga chipping in with 11 goals and 15 assists for Thomas Tuchels Black & Yellows. New United manager Jose Mourinho hopes to make Mkhitaryan his second summer signing, following African cup of nations winner Eric Bertrand Bailly to the Theatre of Dreams. But what does all this mean for Spanish winger Juan Mata?

During both Mourinho's and Mata's tenures at Chelsea the couple enjoyed varying success with the former CF Valencia midfielder picking up Chelsea's player of the season accolades in two consecutive seasons. Since Mourinho's arrival in Manchester, it has been widely rumoured that the world cup winner will become surplus to requirements due to Mourinho's uncertainty of Mata's style of play. It is widely believed that Mkhitaryan will serve as Mata's replacement on United's right side of midfield with Mata now 28, rumoured to be interested in a move back to La Liga with former club Valencia sniffing around the midfield maestro.

Ross Markey