Tag: Juan Mata

Man United players react as Juan Mata signs new two-year deal

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Manchester United teammates have hailed Juan Mata;s contract extension at Old Trafford.

Mata has been at United since 2014, and has signed a new two-year contract with the option of a further year.

Reacting to his new deal, the 31-year-old Spaniard took to Instagram to post an image of himself in the new shirt for 2019/20, saying he wants to help the club out of the current predicament.

He posted: “Because we are going through difficult times, it is of the greatest importance to me to extend my commitment to @manchesterunited.

“It is also the right time for me to say loud and clear that the feeling of being a Manchester United player is something very special. Unique. I am really proud and excited to sign a new contract, and will keep trying my best to help bring the club back to where it belongs.”

In response, a number of United teammates commented on the post, signalling their approval of the latest extension.

Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling simply posted heart emojis, while Diogo Dalot said: “Vamoooos Juanito!!!”

David de Gea said: “My man” while outgoing captain Antonio Valencia sent his congratulations.

Former defender Daley Blind also approved of the news, posting a number of clapping emojis.

On completion of the new contract, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Juan is the ultimate professional and one of the most intelligent players I have worked with.

“He is a great example to our younger players in his approach. He understands what it means to be a Manchester United player and has embraced everything about this great club.

“As well as everything he brings on the pitch, we have some fantastic young players here and I know that Juan’s vast experience will help them to reach their potential over the coming seasons.

“I am delighted that he has signed a new contract, as I know that his talent and mentality will be invaluable to the squad.”

Quick contract renewals to Jones, Young and Smalling leave United dressing room divided

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Manchester United’s dressing room is divided over the club’s contract policy after English players all benefited from renewal unlike foreign players.

Reports say some of the players have been left wondering why Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have all signed fresh terms at Old Trafford since Christmas despite disappointing performances.

United have continued to play hard ball over David De Gea’s demands to match highest earner Alexis Sanchez whilst Ander Herrera and Juan Mata have also failed to agree new deals despite having better season compared the English trio.

Some members of the United dressing room feel the English trio are undeserving of their new contracts considering the approach towards other squad members from the club in recent months.

Despite being limited to just 24 appearances this season due to injury problems, Jones penned a new four-and-a-half year deal in February.

That came just two months after fellow defender Smalling agreed to stay at the club until 2022, whilst Young has also been given a one-year contract extension.

Pundits have questioned manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bid to revamp United squad after the reent dealings.

A section of United fans were left unhappy after the club failed tie down Herrera and Mata, but quickly gave  Young, Jones and Smalling new deals.

De Gea’s school boy error gifts Chelsea vital point as host United settle for 1-1 draw

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Chelsea secured a Premier League point away at Old Trafford as Marcos Alonso pounced on the error of Manchester United goalkeeper to cancel Juan Mata’s earlier goal.

United broke the deadlock in the 11th minute through a well-worked move which saw Paul Pogba’s deft scoop find Luke Shaw and the wing-back knocked the ball towards the six yard box past the outstretched Kepa.

Mata was found in space, and the Spaniard tucked home against his former club for the first time since his 2014 switch.

The Red Devils were in charge for much of the first-half, and their opposition offered little in the way of a counter. However, in the last minutes before half-time, Antonio Rudiger took a shot towards the out-of-form De Gea, who fumbled the catch before allowing his countryman Alonso space to dispatch the ball in an empty net.

The second-half sank to a to-and-fro exchange of fouls and half-chances, with neither side asserting themselves towards a victory. Errors were common and the players tired, the scoreline remaining 1-1 at the end of the second half.

Solskjaer hails Manchester United players’ spirit after an injury-hit draw with Liverpool

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Interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised Manchester United players’ never-say-die spirit after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford despite first half injuries to key players.

United were forced to make three first-half substitutions after Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard suffered hamstring injuries and Marcus Rashford had to play on with a swollen ankle.

Nemanja Matic was hurt in training during United’s final session on Saturday while Anthony Martial was unable to overcome the groin strain which kept him sidelined at Chelsea in the FA Cup triumph.

Scott McTominay made his fourth Premier League start of the season and Andreas Pereira was introduced for Herrera to bolster the midfield.

Despite the interruptions, United were arguably the better side over the 90 minutes and created the better chances as Mohamed Salah failed to score against the Red Devils for the fourth game running before being substituted in the 79th minute.

United have now kept four clean sheets in their last four domestic matches and Solskjaer is delighted with their defensive stability.

“I learned a lot about the players today,” Solskjaer said.

“I learnt a lot about McTominay, who I’ve been waiting to give a chance in a more attacking role, he can run into the box, is dangerous, he was a Darren Fletcher today for us. Absolutely fantastic, he’s not played for six weeks now.

“Andreas, with the criticism he’s had, came on and did fantastic. So I learnt a lot about the character of the team. That first-half wasn’t good enough with the ball, never seen us being so sloppy on the ball, giving easy balls away but then we got through it.”

Solskjaer said Shaw, who was named man of the match by co-commentator Gary Neville, had his best game under the Norwegian’s watch.

“Very happy with the defence and that’s always the foundation, if you keep clean sheets and keep David not very occupied, we know we’ve got something going and teams have to be built from the back.

“Victor and Chris fantastic, Luke Shaw gave his best performance under me.”

We still need you here, Solskjaer tells Mata ahead of contract extension talks

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Juan Mata to stay at Manchester United ahead of crunch talks between the player’s agent and the club.

The 30-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season and is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.

United triggered a 12-month extension clause in Mata’s contract in 2017 and his representatives expected an offer of fresh terms to follow but the club have allowed the Spaniard to enter the final six months of his deal.

According to Metro, Solskjaer recently held talks with Mata and advised the midfielder to stay at the club.

Mata recently said he is unsure where his future lies with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of the season.

Mata is one of three players who United risk losing without a transfer fee, along with Ander Herrera and Ashley Young, and the 30-year-old admits he doesn’t know what the future holds with a new contract still to be agreed to extend his five-year stay at the club.

“I don’t know,” said. “I’ve been in England for a good while, in a league that I’m well accustomed to and where I’ve adapted well, but it’s true that at times you miss home, your family, your friends.”

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