For months and months, this has been one of the main talking points at Manchester United; Should Juan Mata leave the football club?

It can be quiet easy to pick on the Spaniard; he isn’t the most vocal player at the club, he isn’t the biggest, and he isn’t the fastest either. He is, however, a very humble guy and produces well whenever he is on the pitch.

In the Red Devils last Premier League game against Crystal Palace before the international break, the 26-year-old came off the bench to help his team earn a victory by scoring the winning goal in their 1-0 win at Old Trafford. He must be wondering what more he has to do in order to have a more secure position in the starting line-up at the Theatre of Dreams, rather than coming onto the pitch as an impact substitute.

Ex-footballer Jamie Redknapp exemplified this point in an article for the Daily Mail as he said: “You have to credit him because he never causes a fuss or has a bad word to say. But make no mistake. He wants to play football.

“He is too good to be a super sub at United and if he doesn’t get some more action, I could see him moving on or maybe even back to Spain.”

For a player that has managed to win the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Champions League, he is definitely the type of quality of player that any team would dream of having. Like at Chelsea, though, it appears Mata is becoming surplus to requirements at United, which may cause him to move on.

Should he leave the football club? Well, yes, if he wants to play international football again. The lack of playing time at United has clearly affected his chances at international selection as he wasn’t picked for Spain’s squad for a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Belarus and a friendly match against Germany.

In fact, the last time Mata was called to play for his country was the 2014 World Cup. Alongside the fact Xavi retired from international duty after the competition, Mata should be playing for his country in every game. He has more experience and more appearances for his country than the likes of Isco, Raul Garcia, and Koke, who are all being selected ahead of him.

Where would the Spaniard go if he was to leave United? Some reports have linked him back to his home country to Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, or one of his previous clubs Valencia. These would be good moves for the 26-year-old and good moves for the clubs as they all have a need for him in some shape or form.

Evidently, though, it may be difficult for Manchester United to let Mata go. Whilst he clearly isn’t part of Louis van Gaal’s consistent starting line-up, he is a backup for any injured players. He may even be starting this weekend against Arsenal due to Angel di Maria injuring his foot whilst on international duty for Argentina. Mata’s contract doesn’t expire till the summer of 2018 at the Red Devils either and he still has a market value of around £35m, but could be sold for around £20m.

It might be difficult for United to let Mata go, but if they don’t play him, they will have to eventually.

Let him go, let him go; United can't hold Mata back anymore.