Manchester United ‘line up new role for Juan Mata’ as contract offer comes to light

Man Utd: Juan Mata is too good to be a bit part player says Hislop

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Manchester United see Juan Mata as a future board member, according to reports. The Spain international has been at Old Trafford ever since joining from Chelsea back in the January transfer window of 2014. And the club want him to stay, despite the veteran struggling for action under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season.

Manchester United signed Mata during David Moyes’ time in charge, with the Spain international arriving midway through a troublesome campaign.

And he’s gone on to be a huge hit at the club in the years since, helping the club win three major trophies.

Mata struggled for minutes under Solskjaer last term, making just five appearances in the Premier League.

The 33-year-old also spent the majority of the Europa League final on the bench, only coming on when the game was destined to go to penalties.

But despite Mata being on the fringes of the action these days, Spanish newspaper Sport say United want him to stay.

It’s claimed they’ve offered him a new contract, though want to reduce his salary to reflect his new status within the squad.

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Yet, curiously, it’s also said United see Mata as a future board member – valuing his reputation and knowledge of the game.

The 33-year-old is known to be just as great away from the pitch as he is on it, acting professionally at all times and also raising plenty of money for charities behind the scenes.

And United think he can play a big part in their future, even when his playing days come to an end.

If the agreement is reached then Mata will stay as part of Solskjaer’s squad until 2022 – meaning he’ll have spent nine years at the Theatre of Dreams.

And the Spaniard is said to be contemplating his options, with the player due to become a free agent in two weeks time.

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It is noted that Mata has long been a transfer target for Barcelona but, at the current time of writing, their paths have never crossed in the transfer market.

So all signs point to him extending his stay at Old Trafford, where he’ll look to help the club win the Premier League title for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

Speaking at the end of the season, Solskjaer praised Mata and labelled him a ‘good servant’ for the club.

“I’ve kept the dialogue with Juan and we’re due to speak again very soon,” he said shortly before his side’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.

“Of course, he’s not played as much as he’d like and that’s a decision that we’ll make with him.

“He’s in charge of his own future and he’s been such a good servant for the club.

“But of course, it’s hard, as I’ve said so many times, to leave good players out, good people out of the team.

“It’s about what does he want as his next step in his career? Is it [to] still play out his career here, or is it going somewhere else?

“We haven’t made a final decision yet.”

Mata, for his part, said after United’s victory over Wolves on the final day of the season that he was still ‘hungry’ to play football.

“I don’t know, I don’t really know,” he said when quizzed on the situation.

“In three days we have an important game and that’s where my mind is, but I still think I can play good football and give a lot to the team and enjoy for many years playing football like today, that’s my mentality.

“It is not the moment to speak about it.

“I know what I want and I’m happy with how I feel physically and mentally.

“I’m still hungry to play football for some years. The club knows that so let’s see.”

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