Juan Mata reveals that he is a mentor to Manchester United’s new stars and academics
Juan Mata reveals that he is a mentor to new Manchester United stars like Bruno Fernandes and hopeful academies as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trusts him to help with his experience
- Juan Mata revealed that he welcomes newcomers and youth to the first team
- The experienced Manchester United midfielder thinks he can be an example
- 31-year-old Mata is one of the oldest players in the Old Trafford dressing room
- The playmaker also believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appreciates his contribution
Juan Mata has revealed his pivotal role in the Manchester United dressing room, with the veteran playmaker welcoming both newcomers and youngsters to the first team.
The 31-year-old is one of the oldest players at Old Trafford and believes he is able to set an example as United undertakes their lengthy reconstruction.
Mata also believes that boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appreciates his contribution to helping new additions, keeping the midfielder closely involved in the club’s setup and hungry for silverware.
Juan Mata revealed that he welcomes newcomers and stars to Manchester United’s first team
The former Chelsea star signed a new contract with United in the summer, but had to largely settle for a small role, but Mata, who has been with the club for six years, shows that his influence now extends beyond the field.
Mata told The Official Manchester United Podcast: ‘I feel honest, fair, in my mind and body. But of course I have been playing in a club for 12, 13 years and in English football and professionally.
“So that gives me experience, especially in difficult situations, to behave in a certain way or to give advice to the young players. I think he (Solskjaer) appreciates that too.
The experienced 31-year-old believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appreciates his off-field contributions
Mata has also revealed that he will provide advice to young people graduating from United’s academy
“Me as a player, what I can give on the field, but also that I will try my best off the field for the new players to come, like now Bruno [Fernandes] and Odion [Igahlo] and for the young people who come through the academy like Brandon [Williams], Chongy [Tahith Chong], Angel [Gomes] and Jimmy [Garner]. ‘
Mata is rapidly approaching the 600-game milestone over the course of his career, and the Spaniard has lifted almost every piece of large silverware.
His impressive performance includes the World Cup, European Championship and Champions League, but the Premier League remains elusive.
But Mata still believes there is a chance he can raise the coveted trophy before retirement.
He added: “I would like to win it and of course I want to win it before I finish playing.
The playmaker hopes to lift the Premier League title with United before retiring
“David De Gea always tells me when he got here, I think they lost the Premier League by one point in the first season, but they won in the second season. He told me it was incredible.
“And everything was red and it was just incredible. I count the days to do that.
“Maybe I’ll play until I am 50 if I need to, but if I don’t win, it’s okay too. You know, I’m not really obsessed with it, it would be very nice to have won almost everything.
“When people ask me,” if you have to choose one? “it would be the Premier League. ‘
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