Juan Mata has indicated that he will stay on with Manchester United.
The midfielder is currently waiting to enter negotiations with the Red Devils over signing a new contract.
The 30-year-old Mata owns a restaurant in Manchester and appears to be happy with life in the English City. Mata arrived at United from Chelsea in 2014 and has since gone on to make 187 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 39 goals.
During his time with United, the Spaniard has won four pieces of silverware which include an FA Cup, an EFL Cup, a Community Shield and Europa League title. He has vast experience in England having represented Chelsea prior to joining the Red Devils.
However, during his stints in England with both Chelsea and United, the one major piece of silverware which has eluded Mata is the Premier League title.
This is perhaps something that he will be hoping to achieve before hanging up his boots or leaving England.
Mata said as quoted by the Manchester United website: “I enjoy playing in the Premier League a lot. I like the style of play, I like the organisation and above all, I like the atmosphere in the stadiums. I will never get tired of saying it, the support that a player gets here is fantastic, and honestly, you have to be thankful for being able to experience something amazing like this in your career.
“At the end of the day, football without you all, and without the passion that it brings, it wouldn’t be the sport that we know and love today.”
Mata played in Friday night’s 2-1 win against Leicester at Old Trafford, but Herrera missed out through injury.
I enjoy playing in the Premier League a lot. I like the style of play, I like the organisation and above all, I like the atmosphere in the stadiums. I will never get tired of saying it – the support that a player gets here is fantastic, and honestly, you have to be thankful for being able to experience something amazing like this in your career.
At the end of the day, football without you all, and without the passion that it brings, wouldn’t be the sport that we know and love today.
This year, there’s a group of over 30 Spaniards playing in the Premier League, which is a great number to have. It makes it clear that we’re valued here, and this is a great competition in which to develop our game.
When I arrived, there weren’t as many Spaniards. It’s a good sign that many of us have spent so long here, and that plenty of others have been encouraged to try this league. It is an enriching experience to leave your own country to get to know another style of football, and trying the Premier League out is something that I would totally recommend.
To go back to Friday, to start the Premier League with a win is always good – both for our league position and the confidence it breeds within the team.
Pre-season could have gone better or worse, but the important thing is the league – that’s where we have to measure up well. We know that it’s still August, we know that there is a lot to improve on and on top of that we have team-mates that haven’t been back involved with the team for long. Patience and calm is needed.
We now have a week to prepare for our first away game of the season in Brighton.