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Juan Mata could miss the remainder of Manchester United's season after he underwent groin surgery.

M.E.N. Sport understands the 28-year-old complained his groin was sore and had surgery on it on Thursday.

Mata has never missed a United game through injury in over three years at the club but could be sidelined for the rest of a hectic campaign which includes nine fixtures in April alone.

Paul Pogba's absence through injury has seen youngster Matthew Willock promoted to the senior squad for the first time.

United confirmed after the MEN's story was published that Mata had undergone groin surgery and said 'further updates on his recovery will follow in due course'.

It is understood Mata hopes to be able to play again this term but is expected to be out for weeks.

Mata's lay-off exacerbates United's injury crisis after Phil Jones' and Chris Smalling's recent setbacks. Pogba's absence for the West Brom fixture caused Jose Mourinho to bring in Willock from the Reserves to his threadbare squad.

The departures of Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis and Bastian Schweinsteiger have left United with a squad of 25 players including rookie Axel Tuanzebe, who has trained mainly with the senior side this season.

United do not have an option of recalling playmaker Andreas Pereira from La Liga side Granada since it is outside the transfer window.

Nicky Butt's Reserves squad has been depleted for the majority of the season and the academy head has brought in Under-18s to offer more options.

Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will serve the final match of their suspensions against West Brom and are expected to return versus Everton on Tuesday.

United team news

Available: David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Joel Pereira, Matteo Darmian, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Axel Tuanzebe, Luke Shaw, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney

Out injured: Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba

Suspended: Ander Herrera, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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