While most of the headlines coming out of Manchester United lately have been about who will be coming and going, they have today confirmed at least one player will be staying at the club, Juan Mata.
The Red Devils sh*tshow of a season has extended into the summer, with Ed Woodward’s scattergun approach to transfer dealings once again showing exactly why Manchester United need the director of football that he is dawdling to appoint.
While Messrs Pogba, Lukaku, Maguire, Diop, Wan Bissaka et al have all dominated the column inches of late, one piece of business that United have confirmed today is that Juan Mata will be taking time out of his busy blogging career to warm the Old Trafford bench for two, or maybe three more years.
The loveable Spaniard has penned a new deal until 2021, with United holding an option to extend it by a further year.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the news…
You can’t have it both ways…
????????#mufc fans clamour for 3 midfield signings but when Juan Mata's contract is extended purely for experience, they complain about game time for youngsters.
Make up your mind. pic.twitter.com/WFGQqOR3A1
— Robbo (@utdrobbo) June 19, 2019
Statman Dave pointed out how important Mata has actually been to Man Utd since moving from Chelsea…
Juan Mata has created 229 chances since his first full season at Man Utd, more than any other player at the club during that time.
Reliable creator. ???????? pic.twitter.com/9bqyqA1WxS
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019
And also suggested he could be an important player for United next season…
Juan Mata was the only Man Utd player to score in every competition last season:
Champions League ✅
Premier League ✅
League Cup ✅
F.A Cup ✅Could be excellent at the tip of Solskjær’s diamond. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/WoEkstkVV3
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019
At least the news is ‘not a negative’…
Juan Mata staying as a squad player is not a negative for me.
I am not going to insult him. I'll be backing him. ????
— The United Link ???? (@TheUnitedLink) June 19, 2019
Some chose to remember one of his greatest days in a Manchester United shirt…
https://twitter.com/RedDevilBible/status/1141370773027917829
But its fair to say many have been left questioning Manchester United’s decisions of late…
Man Utd’s last 4 contract renewals:
Ashley Young
Phil Jones
Chris Smalling
Juan Mata pic.twitter.com/vimVpJLlQQ— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 19, 2019
Manchester United in 2019:
Phil Jones signs four-year deal
Ashley Young signs one-year deal
Ander Herrera leaves on a free
Juan Mata signs a two-year deal pic.twitter.com/wF1dDu58JM— bet365 (@bet365) June 19, 2019
Ashley Young, Phil Jones and Juan Mata. All of their deals were running out this summer. If we were a serious/ ambitious club, then all those 3 would be packing their bags and would be leaving the club right now for good. Instead, they’ll all be here for another season. Sigh.
— Retro United (@Retro_Utd) June 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheManUtdWay/status/1141376341536911364
https://twitter.com/hesham786/status/1141370728840925185
Imagine buying season tickets and seeing Mata on the counter against Manchester City/Liverpool. That's up there with being waterboarded.
— FergieTime™️ (@SSIIIIUUUUU) June 19, 2019
While MEN journalist Samuel Luckhurst provided a bit of well-needed perspective
Juan Mata well worth keeping. Influenced some big games last season and put the club ahead of his own future during run-in. Given Lukaku wants out and United want Sanchez out, player turnover in attacking department can’t be too drastic. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) June 19, 2019
Let’s hope for these despairing Manchester United fans that the rest of their summer business can bring some more positivity.
See also – Five of the best free transfers in Premier League history
He may not have won our award, but @ColmBoohig made a very good case for @Madders10 to be named our Breakthrough Player of the Year for 2018/19… ????
Listen to the full pod ???? https://t.co/h1IumRr1vH pic.twitter.com/6mmdscSP1b
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) May 23, 2019
