Mata keen to extend long-term United stay
LONDON: Manchester United midielder Juan Mata is enjoying life at the club and says he is open to extending his four-year stay at Old Trafford.
The Spain international has made over 150 appearances, scoring 37 goals, and won the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League for United since joining in 2014. His contract expires next year though the club havetheoptiontoextendituntil2019.
Mata moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea for a then club-record fee of £37.1 million
“I’m happy here. The club is massive, the support we have is massive. I’ve been settled down in the city since year one,” Mata, who has scored once in 13 appearances this season, said.
“I’m 29 and hopefully I can play football for some more years. It would be great to play until I’m 40 like Ryan Giggs. But that’s still a bit far, still 11 years. “You never know what can happen in football and in life. But my feeling now is that I’m happy here and I wouldn’t have any problem continuing here for more time.”
He is hopeful he can extend his playing career for another decade. And as for his plans after retirement, Mata revealed he has not ruled out becoming a manager.
Mata comes from a footballing family — his father, Juan Sr., was a player — and he would like to stay in the game once he hangs up his boots.
He has also not ruled out taking on a more central role with Common Goal, the project he supports by donating one percent of his wage to charity.