Mata: My future is with the Reds
JUAN Mata wants to stay at United.
The 29-year-old Spanish midfielder’s Old Trafford contract runs until next summer, with an option to extend for a further 12 months to 2019.
But as United prepare for tonight’s Europa League final in Stockholm against Ajax, Mata says he relishes a new golden age for the Reds and wants to be a part of it. “I’m happy here,” says Mata. “I cannot control what people will think. It’s always been the same, every single summer. But my aim, and my head, is focussed on trying to win trophies here and still having a contract here.
“I’ve always said that since I came here it has not been the greatest moment in the club’s history. It’s been a different approach and a new stage after Sir Alex Ferguson. We’ve had a few managers, different players coming and going, but I feel really happy to be at this club.
“I feel privileged to play for Man Utd. It is something when I’m old I will always be proud of.
“And I keep believing and thinking positively about winning big trophies here. I’ve seen the fans behind us all the time, both in the good times and the bad times, giving us their strength, so I imagine myself with the fans really, really happy after winning big trophies, starting from this final but, hopefully, also in the following season.
“If the fans have been so good to us in not the best moments, I imagine myself in the best moments and it will be crazy.”
United were the reigning Premier League champions when Mata joined from Chelsea for a then club record fee of £37m. Since then they have been off the pace in the title race.
But there has been FA Cup success under Louis van Gaal, the EFL Cup with Jose Mourinho and potentially the Europa League silverware.
“When you come to such a club you obviously dream about winning the biggest things, which is the Premier League and Champions League,” added Mata.
“I didn’t do it so far but I can do it in the future and, hopefully, the near future.
“We have won some trophies along the way and now we have the chance to win probably the biggest thing since I came.
“It’s a good chance for me and for the club to keep going in the direction we want to be which is fighting for the Champions League and the Premier League.”