Juan Mata is out of contract at the end of the season but had positive talks with the boss about a new deal last week.
According to The Sun, the 30-year-old sat down with caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to discuss his future, and it is understood that the Norwegian has now recommended the club hand Mata a12-month extension.
The report adds that there will be the option of a further year and he will earn a similar wage package to what he is currently on (£170,000-a-week).
READ MORE: Roy Hodgson wary of Solskjaer’s Man Utd, doesn’t recall many Palace wins over Reds
Back in November, talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham said Mata would leave United for free in the summer and join rivals Arsenal, to reunite with former coach Unai Emery. Though alleged interest in joining the Gunners probably wasn’t helped by José Mourinho still being in charge at that time, whereas Solskjaer has created a much happier environment within the club, so it’s no surprise that more players are signing contract extensions to stay at Old Trafford.
Mata came off early in United’s recent outing against Liverpool, a scoreless draw that saw Solskjaer forced into making three first-half substitutions to cater for injuries.
“Everything possible seemed to happen to us,” Mata wrote in his personal blog. “If there is a game that no United players want to miss, it is when we play Liverpool, but you have to accept that injuries are a part of the sport.
“Luckily, I can’t remember having faced a similar situation in a game and that is after more than 12 years as a professional, it is the first time that a muscular injury has forced me off during a match.
“In reality, I have to be grateful, as it is an uncommon record for a football player, but this one came during a derby. It was a shame, and on top of that it wasn’t the only injury – Ander and Jesse both had to go off for the same reason.
“It was incredible that all of this happened in just the first half. It wasn’t the dream start we’d imagined for such a big game, but the team competed well despite the injuries and we even had the better goalscoring chances.
“In terms of my own injury problem, I could feel something for a few minutes and I hope that I didn’t make it worse when racing to stop Salah on the counter-attack (I had to do it!).
“I am hoping it isn’t anything serious. I will do everything that I can to get back as soon as possible.”
Here is how United fans reacted to the news on Twitter. Some mixed reactions to say the least!
he is good at 10, against liverpool looked good till he got injured
— Avenhill (@AvenHill) February 26, 2019
1 year is good, shoulda been same for Young. No more.
— RedDevil👹 (@UtdDevil365) February 26, 2019
The disrespect Mata gets on here. People are okay with Young getting a new contract, but hate Mata because he’s played almost his entire time at United out of position because he was the best available. Now when he’s played at 10 and we see his quality, people still want him out.
— M. (@M05556242) February 26, 2019
So much disrespect for Mata it’s unreal. As long as he is played behind the striker when he does play then I’m happy to see him stay. We lack squad depth and if we add quality he is a great squad player to have. Especially in the dressing room. One of the few good guys #mufc
— Haider.Rubbani_MUFC🔴⚪️ (@Haider_Rubbani) February 26, 2019
Swap him with Sancho or Zaha
— Ali F Yusuf (@alifuadyusuf) February 26, 2019
Fucking done with this club.. mediocrity confirmed
— Rashford FC (@Manutdstan) February 26, 2019
🤞🏻still a great player who gives his all. #specialjuan
— Webbie (@stfc24webbie) February 26, 2019
But.. WHY? Give more chances youngsters like a Chong or Gomes
— David Střelec (@scheeza) February 26, 2019
Fucking hell. I was backing the board. But now I’ve had it. They will cut corners but don’t sign new players. #glazersout
— Rishabh Sinha (@rishabh_snh) February 26, 2019
Don’t understand all the hate Mata gets, his best position has always been CAM, hardly his fault managers only seem to want to use him as a winger
— Declan Flynn (@StrangeAlt) February 26, 2019
Juan more time pic.twitter.com/Hvo0QkSJSR
— Mahmoud Abid Ali (@mahmoudabid) February 26, 2019
You can see we aren’t spending money next summer
— Josh Watson (@joshwatson136) February 27, 2019
