Manchester United ace wanted in shock Real Madrid return

Zinedine Zidane is concerned about a lack of creativity from his Real Madrid players and wants to bring Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata back to the club in January, claims The Daily Express.

Mata came through the Real Madrid academy before eventually moving to Valencia in 2007 where he established himself as one of the most exciting creative players in Spain.

The 29-year-old’s current United deal is due to expire at the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether Jose Mourinho will sanction a new deal for the Spain international.

Given his age, it would not be a surprise if Mourinho was open to offers for the pint-sized midfielder to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer and Madrid are understood to be monitoring his future at Old Trafford.

Since joining United in January 2014, only Wayne Rooney (41) has played a direct hand in more Premier League goals for United than Mata (34), while no team-mate has created more clear-cut chances than the United No.8 in that period (22).