Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata could be allowed to leave the club on a free this summer after the Red Devils have thus far failed to trigger an extension in his contract.

The four-and-a-half-year deal the midfielder signed when he joined from Chelsea in January 2014 is set to expire at the end of the season.

And despite United possessing the option to extend the former Blues star’s contract by a further year – they are yet to do so, leaving Mata’s future at Old Trafford up in the air.

With his extension yet to be triggered, Mata is free to talk to other clubs about a potential move away from United, with move Inter Milan and another of his former clubs Valencia said to be interested.

Mata’s team-mates Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera – who both possessed similar clauses in their deals – have had contract extensions already triggered, leading to increased speculation over Mata’s immediate future.

However, ESPN report that United are expected to trigger an extension in Mata’s contract before the end of the season to avoid losing him on a free transfer in the summer.

Mata joined Manchester United in January 2014 from Chelsea in £37.1 million move, and has since made 170 appearances for the Jose Mourinho’s side, scoring 39 goals.