Reds set for Mata boost

JUAN Mata is expected to undergo a medical today before completing his club record transfer to Manchester United.

A source has indicated that the deal was ‘close’ to being completed, with Mata expected to be in David Moyes’ squad for the visit of Cardiff to Old Trafford next Tuesday.

United’s morale could certainly do with a lift after enduring yet another gut-punch.

His team gave Phil Bardsley a goal a minute from the end of extra–time when it seemed they were about to book a final meeting against Manchester City at Wembley on March 2.

Amazingly, Javier Hernandez responded almost immediately to take the tie to penalties, only for Sunderland to win through.

“With a minute or so to go we were almost there,” said Moyes. “We had opportunities to score a second goal and put ourselves in a better position but there is always going to be a loser in the semi–final and it was us.”