Pranav Nair
Juan Mata set to say goodbye to Manchester United
According to Turkish website Sansursuz Futbol (h/t Mirror), Manchester United veteran Juan Mata is ready to call time on his Old Trafford career.
The 32-year-old joined United from Chelsea in 2014. He has since made 252 appearances for the club, scoring 48 goals and 42 assists. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Despite his advanced age, he has made 34 appearances for us this season. A versatile attacker who can play in a variety of positions, he has been a loyal servant during some tough seasons for us.
Mata is currently in the final year of his contract. Although United hold an option to extend the deal by a year, it remains to be seen if we will do so.
According to the report, Fenerbahce is the Spaniard’s preferred destination. The Super Lig club’s president Ali Koc has talked over signing Mata as a replacement for Max Kruse.
Mata has found playing time harder to come by under Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer. This was not the case with either Louis van Gaal or Jose Mourinho.
With United keen on bringing in Jack Grealish, the 32-year-old’s opportunities could get even scarcer. He will be best served looking elsewhere for regular football.
Mata has won three major trophies with United. It is fair to say that his performances were a tad lower than the excellence he showed at Chelsea.
Despite that, he was a key member of our squad as we continued to rebuild under a succession of managers. It is ironic that now when we do have a mechanism in place, he looks likely to be on his way.
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Mata has been a player who knows what it means to wear the red shirt. He has served the club with distinction and will leave a hero when the time comes.
