Juan Mata has chosen to avoid entering the free agency pool by committing to a new contract at Manchester United.
Manchester United have announced a new one-year contract agreement with Juan Mata until the summer of 2022.
The Spanish midfielder will extend his seven-and-a-half-year stay at Old Trafford for another season, having agreed on fresh terms with the Red Devils ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Mata, whose previous deal expired on Wednesday, will now be eager to reinsert himself as a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a tough season in 2020/21.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce Juan Mata has agreed on a one-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2022,” read a club statement.
“The 33-year-old completed a transfer from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2014 and has since made 273 appearances as a Red, scoring 51 goals in the process.
“His impressive tally of strikes includes a memorable brace against Liverpool at Anfield in 2015 and an all-important equalizer in the victorious 2016 Emirates FA Cup final versus Crystal Palace.
“Dubbed a magician on the pitch and a gentleman off it, Mata has become one of the most popular players in recent United history, and he is highly respected by all of his teammates.
“The World Cup winner’s influence on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young, improving squad is invaluable and the manager continues to be a huge supporter of the fleet-footed Spaniard.
“While his 2020-21 season was limited to 18 appearances, partly due to personal circumstances, Mata’s contribution remained, and he was notably one of six Reds to win our Player of the Month awards, alongside Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, and Luke Shaw.
“With a new one-year contract agreed and pre-season training about to start at Carrington, Juan is raring to go in what will be his ninth campaign at United.
“Congratulations on your new deal, El Mago.”
Mata and United will begin their 2021/22 Premier League campaign at home to Leeds on August 14.
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton, meanwhile, has rejoined the Red Devils on a two-year deal.
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