Manchester United have successfully tied down Spanish playmaker Juan Mata to a new two-year deal, with an option of a further year.
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has signed a new two-year contract, extending his stay at Old Trafford till the summer of 2021, the club have confirmed on their official website.
Mata has been with Manchester United for over five years now, having arrived from arch-rivals Chelsea in January 2013, costing the club £37.1 million. The Spanish international has gone on to feature 218 times for the Red Devils, netting 45 goals and assisting 37 more, winning an FA Cup, a League Cup and the UEFA Europa League trophy in the process.
The 31-year-old was in the final month of his contract with Manchester United and for a long time it looked like he would be on his way out of the club, with there being significant interest from a number of clubs to sign him up on a free transfer, including La Liga champions Barcelona.
However, Manchester United have managed to convince Mata to prolong his stay at Old Trafford for two more years, with the Spaniard putting pen to a new deal that will keep him at the club till 2021, with an option of extending it by a further twelve months.
We can confirm Juan Mata has signed a new contract with #MUFC.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 19, 2019
Speaking after the confirmation, Mata said: “It is a real honour to continue to represent this amazing club and our incredible fans. I have been at Manchester United for five years and I am proud to call Old Trafford my home. I am looking forward to working with Ole and his fantastic coaching staff; the vision that they have for the club is truly exciting and I am so happy that I will be a part of that.”
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for Mata as he went on to say: “Juan is the ultimate professional and one of the most intelligent players I have worked with. He is a great example to our younger players in his approach. He understands what it means to be a Manchester United player and has embraced everything about this great club.
“As well as everything he brings on the pitch, we have some fantastic young players here and I know that Juan’s vast experience will help them to reach their potential over the coming seasons. I am delighted that he has signed a new contract, as I know that his talent and mentality will be invaluable to the squad.”
Mata has been an important squad player for Manchester United and his contract extension comes as a good news for the club in what has been a slow start to the summer transfer window. The Red Devils have only signed Daniel James till date, but are reported to be closing on their second transfer after they agreed a £55 million transfer fee for Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
