Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata, who has confirmed his imminent exit from the club, has received offers from the MLS.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Juan Mata could be bound for the Major League Soccer in the USA after confirming his exit from Manchester United. The veteran playmaker will be out of contract at the end of the month and will not be renewing his terms at Old Trafford. And he is now fielding offers from the MLS over a summer move.
Mata joined Manchester United from arch-rivals Chelsea in the January transfer window of 2014 in a then club-record deal worth £37.1 million. Despite being a valuable member of the team over the years, none of the managers were able to unleash the best out of the former Spanish international.
During his eight-year spell, Mata made 285 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 51 goals and chalking up 47 assists. The 34-year-old won the FA Cup, the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League during his time with the Red Devils and was part of the starting XI in the finals of each of the three competitions he won.
Mata had been reduced to a peripheral figure in the squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and his fortunes did not improve a great deal under interim boss Ralf Rangnick either. The Spanish playmaker featured just 12 times across all competitions in the recently concluded campaign, and an exit has been set in stone for some time.
Juan has a message for us all ?❤️#MUFC | @JuanMata8 pic.twitter.com/U0TOFgq8X1
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 2, 2022
However, as per the report, Manchester United wanted to keep Mata around by offering him an administrative role at the club. The Red Devils’ officials believe that the 34-year-old has the potential to grow into the role of a technical director role in the future. Hence, the club wanted him to continue at Old Trafford in some capacity.
Manchester United were even ready to offer him a one-year extension in a playing capacity if it meant that Mata would stay at the club. However, the former Chelsea midfielder declined such proposals as he still wishes to continue playing regularly. And there seems to be no shortage of interest in the veteran playmaker, with clubs from Spain queuing up to sign him.
At the same time, it has also emerged that Mata is entertaining offers from clubs in the MLS. The America-based competition has become home to many veteran stars in the final stages of their careers. Former Manchester United captain and club legend Wayne Rooney had a stint in the USA with D.C. United before returning to England, and Mata could follow a similar path if he wishes.
Also Read: Manchester United Season Review: What went wrong for the Red Devils in the 2021/22 season?
There is no mention of the clubs that have made offers. But Inter Miami CF, owned by Manchester United legend in David Beckham and managed by another icon in Phil Neville, could be a possible destination for Mata, given the United links.
