The Spain international is one of the more experienced players at the Red Devils squad and has earned respect from trainer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has shown the essential role he plays within the Old Trafford dressing room in welcoming both new arrivals and young gamers to the first-team squad.
The Spain international is one of the older members of the United squad, with director Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having looked to bring in younger players that he can mold during United’s present rebuild.
And Mata, 31, has shown Solskjaer worth his contribution off the pitch in addition to on it.
“I feel young, frankly, in my own body and head. But obviously I’ve been playing at a club, and in English soccer and professionally for 12, 13 years now. So that gives me experience, especially in difficult conditions, to act in a particular way or give guidance to the young players,” Mata informed The Official Manchester United Podcast.
“I think he (Solskjaer) values that too.”
“Me as a participant, what I could give on the pitch, but also I will try my best off the pitch to the new players that come, such as right now Bruno [Fernandes] and Odion [Igahlo] and for the kids that come through the academy such as Brandon [Williams], Chongy [Tahith Chong], Angel [Gomes] and Jimmy [Garner].”
During his spell in the Premier League with both Chelsea and United, Mata has won everything available to him in English soccer — besides the Premier League.
And the attacking midfielder joked he would continue playing into his fifties so as to have the ability to bring a Premier League trophy to his trophy cabinet.
“David de Gea consistently told me when he came here, I believe they dropped the Premier League by one point in the first season but in the next season, they won. He told me it was incredible,” Mata remembered.
“And everything was red and it was simply incredible. I am counting the days in order to do that. I would like to acquire it and of course, I wish to win it until I finish playing.
“Perhaps I will play until my 50s if desired, but if I do not win it, it is alright also. You know I am not really obsessed with it, it would be quite good to have won almost everything.”
