Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has publicly expressed his wish to sign a contract extension with the club. Mata arrived from Chelsea in a £37.1 million (then a club record, but seemingly downright “cute” today compared to the current transfer market) deal in January 2014.
The Spaniard’s contract originally kept him at the club until next summer. However, manager Jose Mourinho said last month that United would exercise the club option on his deal for an additional year, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2019.
Juan Mata hopes to stay put longer than that, as he has established some roots in the area. Both his dad and his girlfriend are also professionally entrenched in the area.
“Well, I am happy here, I’m happy in Manchester,” the 29-year-old said.
“I’ve been here almost four years, and I love the people here. The city is very nice, and has a lot of things to do. My dad opened a Spanish restaurant! I am settled in Manchester. I am happy here. So as long as this moment continues I am happy to stay here.”
Mata has two goals and an assist across 10 games in all competitions for United.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.