Juan Mata was flown in in a helicopter to save Manchester United’s season under David Moyes, which had been a disaster. In the 2013-14 season, the Spaniard was acquired for £37.1 million from Chelsea. The club says ‘gracias’ to the 34-year-old as he bids farewell as his contract expires after eight seasons.
Mata’s time at United coincided with the club’s dramatic drop in form. Apart from winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League, he will always be remembered for those goals at Anfield.
Mata’s charitable work even reached India, making him one of the kindest men in football and a player with a degree. He attempted to improve the lives of young people in Mumbai slums through the Common Goal programme. He even invited a few of them to an Old Trafford match.
He went on to play 285 games in total, scoring 51 goals and won four trophies along the way.
On May 22, he made his final appearance for us in the 2021/22 season, away at Crystal Palace.
Mata’s first title at Old Trafford came in 2016 when he won the FA Cup with Louis van Gaal, and he also helped Jose Mourinho’s side win the Europa League and League Cup the following season.
“Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan,” United stated in a statement confirming his resignation. Everyone at the club wishes you the best of luck in your future endeavours.”
The Spaniard will join Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in leaving United at the conclusion of their contracts, which United announced on Wednesday.
