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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. 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. Nike Air Max Sale .J. -- Tom Coughlin doesnt have many options at halfback for the winless New York Giants. Cheap Nike Air Max Outlet . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top. https://www.wholesalenikeairmaxshoes.com/cheap-air-max-270/. - Benched Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman said he has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and voluntarily entered the NFL substance abuse program more than a year ago after mistakenly taking a medication to treat the condition. Discount Nike Air Max Wholesale . According to a report from ESPN, sources said Manuels college coach Jimbo Fisher told teams he didnt think Manuel had the tools to be an NFL starter. Fake Nike Air Max Replica .C. -- LeBron James called comments on an audio recording of a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling "appalling" and said hes not sure if he would suit up for the remainder of the NBA playoffs if he played for the Clippers.WASHINGTON -- Gio Gonzalez loves how the Washington Nationals are playing right now, and its easy to see why. Gonzalez pitched seven crisp innings and Washington slugged three homers in a 9-0 victory over the sliding Miami Marlins on Thursday night. "Were getting our groove back," Gonzalez said. "I think that you can see it live, and the chemistry in here is just getting better and better. I think its the music choice. I dont know what it is, but I think that our guys out there are having more fun up there at the plate." Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond each hit a three-run homer as Washington won for the eighth time in its best nine-game stretch of the season. Bryce Harper also went deep to help the Nationals pull within 6 1/2 games of idle Cincinnati for the second NL wild-card slot. Gonzalez (8-6) allowed three hits and struck out eight in his first victory in six weeks. The left-hander, who was 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA in his previous seven starts, retired his last 11 batters. The Nationals (68-65) were six games under .500 on Aug. 6, and now theyre three games over for the first time since July 10 thanks to their hot offence. "Were a scary team when were going good, and I think everybody knows that," Harper said. Ryan Zimmerman sparked Washingtons offence with a leadoff walk in the fourth. Harper drove Tom Koehlers next pitch over the wall in left for his 19th homer, extending his career-best hitting streak to 11 games. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Harper has adjusted his batting stance. "Hes a little more upright," Johnson said. "Theres not so much tension. When you get down in a little crouch, theres a little more tension that builds up. "He looks more relaxed." Zimmerman, who went 3 for 3, led off the sixth with a base hit and Harper walked before Werth belted a drive to left for his 21st homer. Desmond had the last homer of the night, a 1-2 shot to left with two out in the seventh for his 20th of the season. Zimmerman was thrown out at the plate when he tried to score on Werths single before Desmond went deep. Adeiny Hechavarria had two of Miamis four hits in its eighth loss in nine games -- matching its worst nine-game stretch since May. Koehler (3-9) allowed six runs and seven hits in five-plus innings. Gonzalez gave Washingtons bullpen some much needed rest. Althhough the Nationals swept Miami, their first two starters didnt go deep.dddddddddddd Stephen Strasburg pitched just three innings Wednesday due to a rain delay, and Ross Ohlendorf threw five-plus innings in the series opener. Gonzalez walked three hitters in the first two innings before returning to the locker room to change his jersey. Inside, Rafael Soriano advised Gonzalez on his mechanics, and the starter said the message turned his outing around. "If you would have told me I was going seven, I would have laughed in your face in the second inning," Gonzalez said. The Marlins have drawn 34 walks in their last 10 games, and none of the runners have scored. Miami has scored three or fewer runs in each of its last eight games, averaging 1.6 runs in that stretch. "We did hit some balls hard, right at some guys, I guess, if youre trying to find a couple positives," Miami manager Mike Redmond said. "But really, at the end of the day, we didnt pitch well tonight, we didnt hit and we got beat." Denard Span matched a career-best 12-game hit streak with his first-inning single, and Werth finished with three hits. NOTES: The Marlins optioned RHP Arquimedes Caminero to Triple-A New Orleans and recalled RHP Sam Dyson from their top farm club. Caminero had a 2.25 ERA and a blown save in four games with Miami. Dyson was 1-3 with a 2.61 ERA in five starts for the Zephyrs and will fill a long-relief role with the Marlins. ... Johnson marveled at the inexperience of Strasburg, whos in his fourth season. During Wednesdays delay, pitching coach Steve McCatty worked with Strasburg. "(McCatty) said, Just relax. Youve been in this situation," Johnson said. "(Strasburg) said, No, I havent. He was shocked." ... Marlins 2B Donovan Solano hit leadoff for just the second time this season and first time since April. "Were at a point in the seasons where we have a chance to try different things," Redmond said. ... A batted ball hit Miami RHP Ryan Webb in the back while he stretched on the field during the Nationals batting practice. Webb fell to the ground, and Redmond asked Jose Fernandez why he was laughing. "He gets hit every time," Fernandez said. "We go anywhere, he gets hit." Webb left the field with a trainer, and a Miami spokesman said Webb had a bruised back. ' ' '