Juan Mata has had a successful career in the Premier League since making the switch from La Liga nine years ago.

His best days were with Chelsea, twice winning the Blues Player of the Year award in the only two full campaigns he spent at Stamford Bridge, managing 32 goals and a huge 58 assists in 132 games during his time in south west London. Despite that impressive form, though, he completed a switch to Manchester United in 2014 for £37.1m, becoming David Moyes’ second and final signing in the process.

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He may not have hit the same heights at Old Trafford as he did in the capital, but he has still proven to be a valuable member of the Red Devils’ squad down the years. He has made 247 appearances for the 20-time English champions since then, scoring 47 goals and laying on 42 others, and he has contributed to United winning the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.

Now, though, he is 31 years of age, and will turn 32 in April, meaning that he may not have too long left at the club – it is hard to see him lasting longer than 2022, which is when he would be out of contract if the one-year extension option is exercised by his employers, if he is not moved on beforehand.

With that in mind, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be on the lookout for another attacking midfielder to provide squad depth, and RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg could very well be that man.

According to Bild (via Sport Witness), the 28-year-old has been offered to United, amongst others, with a potential fee of €20m (£17.1m) mentioned.

Should he come in, he would be a far better fit than Mata moving forward.

United are arguably a direct side. They have exploited the pace of Dan James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial throughout this season, with balls in to space allowing them to make the most of that quality. Former Spain international Mata, though, is a player who likes to hold on to the ball rather than move it on quickly. He has averaged 34.7 touches per game this season in the Premier League, with 24.8 passes being completed – that equates to a success rate of 88%. Just 1.1 of those have been key passes, though, whilst he has averaged just 0.5 shots and 0.3 dribbles per game.

Forsberg, generally tends to move the ball on quicker. He has averaged 17.8 passes per game, with a success ratio of 81%. They have come from 31.8 touches, but he has 1.1 key passes per match, which is the same as Mata despite him having less of the ball. He has managed 0.9 shots and 1.1 dribbles per game too.

In terms of goals, Forsberg has five to the former Valencia man’s one, whilst they both have the same assists. It is clear for all to see that the Sweden international is far more direct, and that is something that fits in well with the rest of United’s attacking players such as James, Rashford and Martial.

Forsberg could be an ideal fit for Solskjaer’s play and his arrival in place of Mata could be the way to go.