January transfers have yet to be forthcoming for Manchester United to join the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revolution taking place at the moment at Old Trafford.
The Norwegian interim manager, who has stated he will be consulted on possible signings this month, seems more intent on keeping his battling band of brothers together, with him urging stalwart Juan Mata to sign a new contract with the club who find themselves pushing for a Champions League qualification spot in the Premier League with their recent resurgence (Metro).
David De Gea is set to put pen to paper for an extension in the aftermath of some stunning displays between the sticks goal for United, and Solskjaer has urged De Gea’s compatriot Mata to do the same.
Mata’s current contract expires at the end of the season, but the attacking midfield has gone on record to say how much he is still enjoying playing the beautiful game.
"I would love to play until I am 40 like [Ryan Giggs] did!" Mata has told the Manchester Evening News.
"I feel good, mentally and physically.
"I am enjoying it a lot and I will try to push it as much as I can and I’ll try to catch Giggsy in years! In games it’s difficult because he’s played over a thousand or something, but in years I can try.”
In further news that will delight the red half of Manchester, Mata was also gushing over his pleasure in playing in and living in the North-West.
"The people in Manchester are what makes this city special.
"Obviously, the rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City is quite big, but everyone I find in the street, in the restaurants and everywhere, they are warm and welcoming and open.
"They are very friendly and that’s what I like about Mancunians. Manchester is a very friendly city and it’s very nice to feel that."
Mata was signed by David Moyes for a then-club record £37.1million at the beginning of 2014 to move from Chelsea, where he had won back-to-back Player of the Year accolades. Recently registering his monumental 200th appearance for the club, he has contributed 44 goals and 35 assists to the cause, picking up FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League winners’ medals along the way.
Juan Mata - in his sixth season as a Manchester United player - is far from a guaranteed starter, with the current sizzling set-up of the triumvirate of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Jesse Lingard bedazzling.
United are still competing on three fronts; with the increasingly realistic prospect of a top four Premier League spot, a tasty fixture against Paris Saint-Germain in the first knock-out rounds of the Champions League, and passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Mata, of course, was instrumental as a substitute in the dramatically sensational 2-1 comeback win over Juventus in Turin back in November.
The 30-year-old currently earns £140,000 per week, with 1% of his salary going to charity, and Mata is revered by the Old Trafford faithful for as much for his character and extra-curricular philanthropic exploits as his on-field talent and passion.
Juan in a million...
