The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mata ‘very happy’ to stay at Old Trafford
Juan Mata is “very happy” at Manchester United and open to extending his stay at Old Trafford.
Signed from Chelsea in January 2014, few predicted the 30-year-old would remain at the club much longer when the man that sold him took over two and a half years later.
Yet Mata has been a regular under Jose Mourinho and talks are reportedly under way about a new deal with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
“All I can say is that I’m happy in Manchester and in England,” he said. “I’ve been in England for some years now and I’m very happy to be in this incredible club so let’s see what happens but at the moment I’m very happy.”
Mata also spoke of his hopes of returning to the Spain squad as he returned to his homeland to take on former club Valencia in the Champions League.
“Well, I think tomorrow’s match will be really special for me,” he said ahead of the Group H match at the Mestalla with United already through to the knockout stages.
“When I was playing with Chelsea, I came back and it was a night I will never forget and tomorrow I expect to be the same.
“The match will not be really important in terms of qualification, but I think that the feeling will stay in my memory forever because there were will be so many emotions and feelings involved and the fans will also help create atmosphere.
Paul Pogba will return to the line-up tonight after starting the last two matches on the bench.
David De Gea and Nemanja Matic remained in England, while Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian and Chris Smalling will be rested.