Man United star Juan Mata trains as he steps up recovery

Jurgen Klopp insists it's vital Liverpool are 'back to winning ways' amid Premier League title charge despite being knocked out of Europe by Atalanta… and says it's 'insane' that Trent started
Liverpool failed but gave fans hope that the Jurgen Klopp era can still have a magical ending, writes LEWIS STEELE
West Ham gave everything against a team that appear to be invincible, writes KATHRYN BATTE as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen reach Europa League semis
PLAYER RATINGS: Two Liverpool stars score just 5/10 as Jurgen Klopp's side fail to deliver comeback against Atalanta to crash out of Europa League
Pantomime Villan! Emiliano Martinez avoids getting sent off DURING penalty shootout for winding up Lille fans thanks to little-known rule… before Aston Villa keeper saves decisive spot-kick
The Premier League is poisoning our game and their hand in having FA Cup replays scrapped is another spoonful of arsenic down the throats of the smaller clubs, writes OLIVER HOLT
Arsenal and Man City count the cost of tired legs and weary minds, writes JACK GAUGHAN: Yes, Gunners were naive and Pep's boys wasteful, but fixture jam played a part in Champions League exits
Max Verstappen priced at 1/6 to make it four wins out of five this season at Chinese Grand Prix - with Lewis Hamilton 40/1 to secure his first victory since December 2021
Arsenal identify THREE positions to strengthen in the summer in wake of Champions League exit, with significant funds to be made available for transfers
EFL in UPROAR over decision to scrap FA Cup replays from next season - with surprised clubs branding it a 'DISGRACE' and furious executives claiming they will seek compensation
Ronald Araujo offers blunt response to Ilkay Gundogan's criticism that his red card against PSG fueled Champions League exit... amid toxic Barcelona dressing room split
For a man who has been handed everything, Lewis Hamilton needs to stop feeling sorry for himself
Liverpool lacked the 'belief' required to pull off comeback at Atalanta, says Peter Crouch after his former club crashed out of the Europa League as he insists Reds were 'disappointing'
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso hints that David Moyes calling his bench a 'disgrace' last week sparked bust-up with West Ham dugout in return leg that saw two assistant coaches sent off
Mo Salah's first-half miss proves crucial in Liverpool's Europa League defeat by Atalanta as Peter Crouch insists 'it's not that difficult' and proves the Egyptian is out of form
Emiliano Martinez's ludicrous antics detract from his enormous talent, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE as Aston Villa keeper's shootout heroics book Europa Conference League semi-final
Michail Antonio BLASTS officials in post-match rant following West Ham's Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen... as forward insists his side 'remained professional' despite frustrations
Emiliano Martinez claims it was his 'destiny' to be Aston Villa's shootout hero against Lille... as Argentine's antics help Unai Emery's side reach Europa Conference League semi-finals
West Ham assistant Billy McKinlay is SENT OFF after furious touchline row with Bayer Leverkusen staff... sparking a mass brawl among the players in chaotic Europa League clash
Peter Crouch reveals he was 'left SCREAMING for a red card' during Liverpool's crunch clash with Atalanta... after Isak Hien was spared sending off despite handball as last man
Premier League suffer yet ANOTHER critical blow in UEFA coefficient rankings after West Ham and Liverpool Europa League defeats... with hopes of earning an extra Champions League spot all but over
AC Milan players are confronted by the club's ultras after their defeat to Roma in the Europa League... as Stefano Pioli's side are knocked out the competition after 3-1 aggregate loss to rivals
'Is that for prisoners?': Liverpool fans left stunned by Atalanta's away end for crunch Europa League tie... with 1,000 Reds to be situated in the corner of the ground in frightful-looking stand
Haaland and De Bruyne had nothing left in gruelling Real Madrid loss and Rodri is begging for a rest... but who out of NINE players clocking 3,000-plus minutes has played the most? How Man City were run into the ground in quest for double treble

Juan Mata picked up an ankle knock during the game against Real Salt Lake
He returned to training, working with some coaches alone on Monday
Mata will be bidding to take part in the friendly game against Barcelona

Published: 06:19 EDT, 25 July 2017 | Updated: 06:28 EDT, 25 July 2017

e-mail

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata returned to training on Monday as he steps up his bid for fitness.

The Spain international trained alone as he works to recover from an ankle injury that he suffered during the pre-season clash against Real Salt Lake in Utah earlier this month.

Mata missed the games against Manchester City and Real Madrid due to the knock.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Juan Mata could be seen working by himself as he steps up his bid for fitness in America

The Manchester United midfielder's private session was overseen by two coaches

Mata picked up the knock during the friendly game against Real Salt Lake in Utah

He will be hoping to play a part when United take on Barcelona in America later this week

Great to see @JuanMata8 back in training! #MUTOUR pic.twitter.com/E48llDQok3
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 24, 2017

The 29-year-old could be seen jogging through a series of cones with two members of United's fitness staff and testing out the troublesome ankle as he raised his legs.

Mata, who could also be seen messing around with a football on Monday, became an integral player under Jose Mourinho last season despite pre-season expectations.

Mourinho was the manager who sanctioned Mata's sale to United while he was in charge of Chelsea, leading to many believing he would play infrequently under the Portuguese.

Mata was captured having fun with a football on the sidelines of the session on Monday

He juggled the ball with his preferred left boot while being watched by players and staff

Mata, David De Gea and Darmian sharing a laugh as he showed off his skills in Washington, DC

But he went on to play 25 Premier League games, scoring six goals, and also played a combined 13 matches during the Old Trafford club's successful League Cup and Europa League campaigns.

Mata will be hoping his fitness has recovered enough for him to play a role when United take on Barcelona at FedEx Field at 12.30am on Thursday morning.

He will also be looking to play a part during the friendlies against Valerenga and Sampdoria, in Oslo and Dublin respectively.

United have signed Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof as they look to improve on their sixth-placed Premier League finish last season.