LONDON -- Juan Mata is edging closer to joining Manchester United from Chelsea as the Premier League champions try to strengthen their squad after a lacklustre first half of the season. Kenny Britt Black Jersey . In a sign that Matas Chelsea departure is nearing, a person familiar with the situation said the midfielder did not train with the first team on Wednesday. United said it is yet to make a formal bid for Mata, but another person with knowledge of the situation said the club is pursuing the Spaniard in the January transfer window. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the transfer is not being discussed publicly. According to Britains Press Association, United has lodged a 40 million-pound ($66-million) bid through a third party. United and its manager, David Moyes, would not take questions on Mata in the post-match news conference after the teams League Cup semifinal defeat to Sunderland later Wednesday. The 25-year-old Mata, Chelseas player of the year for the last two seasons, has fallen out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned as manager in June. He has not played for the team since the Jan. 1 victory against Southampton. Chelsea pulled further away from United in the Premier League title race by beating Moyes side 3-1 on Sunday. While Chelsea is third, just two points from the summit, United is seventh, 14 points behind leader Arsenal. Moyes accepts there is a need to reinforce the squad, with Champions League qualification, by finishing in the top four, far from certain. "I fully understand that supporters are keen to see us freshen up the squad with new faces, but January is a difficult month in which to bring people in," Moyes said in Wednesdays program for the League Cup semifinal against Sunderland. "While we are actively scouting players all the time, a lot of the work we are doing now is preparation for the summer. "If we can do any business now then we will certainly try to do it, but I will not compromise the standards required for a player that can come into this club and help improve it." Selling Mata to United could indicate that Chelsea does not see the 20-time English champions as a major rival this season. United has lost four out of five games at the start of 2014, and was seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Sunderland on Wednesday night to reach the League Cup final. "We all know that our club is undergoing changes at present, but I have a clear path in my mind and I know where we are going," Moyes said in Wednesdays program. Mata would not be eligible to play for United in the Champions League because he has played in the group stage for Chelsea. Austin Davis Jersey . Virtue, from London, Ont., and Moir, from Ilderton, Ont., gave Canada nine points in the multi-stage event with a score of 72.98. Meryl Davis and Charlie White of the United States finished first with 75. Marshall Faulk Black Jersey . Maxime Presseaults goal at 13:59 of the second period broke a 2-2 deadlock for the Foreurs, who trailed the series 3-2 before winning back-to-back games, and Guillaume Gelinas and Pierre-Maxime Poudrier also scored.NASHVILLE – His career as a Nashville Predator was over in less than thirty minutes. Not exactly bursting with sentimental feelings, Matthew Lombardi makes an odd return to the state of Tennessee on Thursday night. The 29-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Predators in the summer of 2010, but suffered a concussion in just his second game with the club, never to play in Music City again. "All in all, it was a pretty weird year to say the least," Lombardi told the Leaf Report, ahead of Thursdays matchup at Bridgestone Arena. "I did have a bit of an experience there, but nothing too emotional or anything like that." It was over after 29 minutes and 39 seconds, 34 shifts to be exact. Four nights after his Nashville debut – a 4-1 over Anaheim – Lombardi would suffer a concussion at the United Center in Chicago, his career with the Predators over before it started. His health and future very much in question, Nashville saw little choice but to move the Montreal native in the summer, sending him to Toronto for Brett Lebda (salary relief) and Robert Slaney in a package that also included Cody Franson. Against all odds and expectation, Lombardi triumphantly returned to start the regular season, scoring the shorthanded winner in a 2-0 opening night victory over Montreal. It was a remarkable early peak on a comeback that has seen its fair share of expected waves along the way. Without a concrete training camp to fall back on – he played in only one exhibition game – Lombardi has been forced to shake off the rust of a year-long absence on the fly, a tall task in any league let alone the NHL. "You dont just turn the switch on," he said. "I wish it was that easy. Its not. Its a good league obviously. Its different for everybody, but I feel like Im making progress." The Leafs have seen flashes of the player who scored 19 goals and 53 points with Phoenix in 2009-2010. Theyve seen him utilize what is unquestionably his greatest asset – speed – more and more often and at more advantageous times. Exploiting that speed and the opportunities it creates will help to grow an offensive game that remains hidden beneath the surface; Lombardi has just two goals and six points through the first 18 games. "I definitely feel like I want to contribute," said Lombardi, who has gone the last nine games without a goal, but chipped in with an assist on Tuesday night. "Obviously hasnt been there consistently this year, but I definitely want to build back into that. I feel like I can still do that. Its just getting back to being consistent and helping the team." The Leafs could certainly use his help. With firepower beyond Phil Kessel (13 goals) and Joffrey Lupul (9 goals) in very short supply and Mikhail&nbbsp;Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur suddenly down with injuries, the Leafs are hunting for goals anywhere they can find it. Greg Zuerlein Jersey. . While not expected to chip in consistently, some production from the bottom two lines would help to balance the waters offensively. Over the last nine games, the bottom six forward group has managed to create just three goals, two by Joey Crabb and one from Mike Komisarek, initiated by the efforts of Lombardi and Crabb. While hes not yet returned to past levels of performance, Lombardi could eventually provide a kick-start to the Leafs third line with an intriguing blend of speed and intelligence. "Im starting to feel like theres some positive things," he concluded with optimism. "Ive just got to stick with it. The good thing is I know I can be better." -- Tim Connolly should provide an immediate boost offensively with Grabovski sidelined for at least the next two weeks with a lower-body injury. The 30-year-old Connolly is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Predators after missing four games with an upper-body injury. "Feel good, ready to go," said Connolly. "Im able to take a full stride and shoot fully. I wasnt quite there Monday. Just feels good to be ready to go and get back in the lineup." Connolly – one goal and four points – will skate with new linemates in Nashville, likely paired with the struggling Nikolai Kulemin and still goal-searching Matt Frattin. Kulemin has gone eleven games without a goal and has just two so far this season, while Frattin remains on the hunt for his first in the NHL. With impressive vision and creativity, Connolly could help to jump-start the two struggling scorers. Tyler Bozak remains with the continually efficient Kessel and Lupul. -- Franson is the other former Predator set to make a return. The B.C. native played his first two NHL seasons in Nashville, but has thus far been limited to just four games of action with the Leafs, the seventh defenceman on a crowed blue-line. "I wouldnt say Im frustrated or anything like that," said Franson. "Its a bit of a tough spot, but what can you do." The Leafs are likely to dress seven defencemen against the Predators, giving Franson an opportunity to make an impression against his old club. "Every games a chance for me to prove something to people," he said. "When youre in a situation Im in youve got to take advantage of every opportunity you get and try and leave a good impression out there, whether youre going back in the lineup the next night or not." The 24-year-old has been the victim of tough circumstance in the last two games hes dressed; the Leafs were shelled 6-2 in Boston on October 20th, pounded 7-0 at home two weeks later. cheap jerseys ' ' '
