Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is desperate to stay at Old Trafford and is in talks with manager Jose Mourinho for a possible contract extension. According to English newspaper The Sun, the former Chelsea man has told Jose Mourinho that he is ‘desperate’ to stay with the Manchester giants. An unknown club source is believed to have told The Sun that the Spanish footballer has settled in Manchester and is enjoying his life there.
"He is desperate to stay and likes his life in the Manchester area. It is all down to Jose's decision now,” the club source said.
The former Valencia midfielder has two more years in his £130,000-a-week contract and is believed to be in talks for a contract extension.
“There have been talks, but Juan is still in the dark over his future at the club,” The Sun reported.
Mata replaced club captain Wayne Rooney in Manchester United’s 4-1 victory over defending Premier League champions Leicester City. Since the start of this season, Mata’s future was in dark as the newly appointed Manchester United manager had brought Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the club. The Armenian attacking midfielder can play on both the wings, whereas Mata was previously deployed in the wings despite the no.10 role being the midfielder’s preferred playing position.
However, Wayne Rooney’s sudden dip in the form has forced Mourinho to start Mata in his original position against Leicester, where he excelled and scored a goal and assisted another one in the process.
Mata and Mourinho worked together before at Chelsea as well, where Mata was benched and sold at last by the Portuguese to Manchester United.
Also read: Jose Mourinho wanted to break Arsene Wenger's face after Juan Mata spat
The former Chelsea manager has been criticized by many for selling the Chelsea Player of the Year to a direct rival with Arsene Wenger being one of the most recognizable figures among them. It is believed that for this reason, Manchester United want to wrap up the talks as soon as possible. “United don’t want to leave this one rumbling though and are keen to sort it before the New Year,” the source revealed.
The ex-Valencia ace has started in all four of Manchester United’s win in the Premier League. Manchester United lost both matches against Manchester City and Watford when the midfielder was benched.
Mata has scored two goals and assisted another two in all competitions for Manchester United this season. Manchester United is also in talks with Marcus Rashford for a contract extension which will make him the highest earning teenage footballer in the world.
