5 longest-serving players in Manchester United's current squad

#3 Juan Mata - (since Jan 24, 2014)

Juan Mata was a crucial member of Chelsea's European triumphs before joining United

Juan Mata's arrival at Manchester United, after being a crucial part of Chelsea's core team that won back-to-back European trophies (2012 Champions League & 2013 Europa League), came as a surprise for many.

Things had taken a bad turn for the Spaniard at Chelsea following Jose Mourinho's arrival. The former Real Madrid coach left Mata on the bench as he favored Oscar.

Manchester United used this opportunity to grab the 2010 World Cup winner in the very next transfer window. In January, Chelsea agreed to sell Juan Mata for €46 million (then a club-record fee for the Blues).

His experience and skillset boosted Manchester United's midfield and Mata enjoyed a fine tenure at Old Trafford that continues to date. Despite Mata being re-united with Mourinho, his major reason for leaving Chelsea for Manchester United, the duo enjoyed a peaceful relationship.

On 2 July 2021, Mata penned a new contract that ties him to the club until July 2022.

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#2 Phil Jones - (since July 1, 2011)

Phil Jones was signed by Alex Ferguson in 2011

Born in Preston, Phil Jones joined Blackburn Rovers as a boy. A club with which he also started his professional career. Phil Jones joined Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 2011 and his signing has an uncanny similarity to that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Just like the Portuguese, Phil Jones too impressed United's then boss Ferguson in a pre-season friendly. The Scottish boss lauded Jones' leadership abilities and composure as a center-back and offered him a chance at the Theatre of Dreams.

After Fergie's exit, Phil Jones remained in the club. Injuries have seen him out of action for a long time now and after Raphael Varane's entry, Jones will surely fell down the pecking order further. But Manchester United have made it clear that they have no intention of letting go of the player who's been with them for almost a decade now.

#1 David de Gea - (since July 1, 2011)

David de Gea was United legend Edwin van der Saar's replacement

The Madrid-native is one of those players who had to grind really hard to make it to the top. Having begun his career with Atletico B, David de Gea earned a spot in the senior team in 2009.

He remained at the Vicente Calderón Stadium for just two seasons as de Gea was roped in by Manchester United, who were desperately looking for star goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar's replacement. For de Gea, who was dubbed Van der Gea, it was a dream come true.

The Spaniard almost joined La Liga juggernaut Real Madrid ahead of the 2015-16 season but the infamous 'fax-machine error', as is hilariously known in the football world, prevented a return to his hometown.

De Gea has remained Manchester United's number one since then despite various ups and downs.