Manchester United outcast set to speak to Ten Hag over potential contract extension

Dan Butterfield
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata will speak to incoming manager Erik Ten Hag over potentially extending his stay with the club.

It had been widely expected that Mata would be one of a number of out-of-contract United players who would depart the club this summer, alongside the likes of Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.


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Incoming manager Ten Hag is expected to oversee a major rebuild of the club this summer and going forward with a number of players expected to leave as part of a squad overhaul.

However, Spanish midfielder Mata has now revealed that is further is yet to be decided and he could still remain at Old Trafford.

In a conversation with The Athletic, Mata said: “I will see when we speak how we feel, what his ideas are, after that a decision will be made.”

The midfielder also spoke of his disappointment of how the season has gone, revealing he had expected to compete to win the Premier League.

“I am gonna be very honest, when we made the signings we made I genuinely felt, ‘We are gonna really compete to win the Premier League now.’ That’s why I renewed, I wanted to be part of that.

“One of the things I always say: winning a massive trophy with Manchester United would be an incredible feeling after being here for so many years, knowing the fans and everyone working in the club like I do.”

On what he expects Ten Hag to bring to the club, Mata added: “I have heard he is very methodical in the way he approaches games, he is very focused and serious on the matter. He wants to win but in a certain way.

“I just hope, honestly from inside of me, whether or not I am here with him, he can implement that, can be true to himself, and win trophies with this great club.

“This is a unique club, because of the history, because of what we represent, but also the expectations we have to fulfil.”