Manchester United are reportedly contract discussions with midfielder Juan Mata as early as this month as they seek to avoid the possibility of him agreeing a pre-contract with an overseas club in January.
The Spain international has been with the Red Devils since the summer of 2014 and though he has not hit the strides at former club Chelsea, he has remained a valuable squad player with key performances every now and then.
According to The Sun, the club’s hierarchy plan to kickstart discussions with Mata’s father and agent in the next few weeks as they to commit the Spaniard to a new contract beyond the current campaign.
Mata is presently attracting interest from former club Valencia who are keen on discuss a pre-contract at the turn of the year but the midfielder appears more than content to prolong his Old Trafford stay, should a deal be reached.
The 30-year-old was widely expected to leave United in the summer of 2016 with many highlighting his mixed relationship with manager Jose Mourinho during their time together at Stamford Bridge.
However, he has transformed into an influential player who has contributed vital goals occasionally and one of those may have saved the Portuguese’s reign after his sublime freekick in the epic 3-2 comeback against Newcastle United last weekend.
Mata is a player with exceptional quality and given his character he works well with managers, coaches and players around him. Mourinho did not realise his quality back in Chelsea but now he finally understands the importance to have some one like Mata in the team.
Mata. What has he done this season 1 goal 1 assist.
He only passes sideways and backwards, he never tackles or heads the ball. He is the worst right winger in the league. Compare to other right sided players