Juan Mata revealed his true feelings about playing in an advanced position with one former Manchester United teammate who “always” talked to him about his role.
The 36-year-old Spaniard first arrived at Old Trafford in the 2014 January transfer window after Manchester United signed him from Chelsea.
Juan Mata was one of two major signings for former United manager David Moyes before the Scotsman was axed from Old Trafford in 2014.
Despite David Moyes’ exit from United, Mata became a mainstay in the first team and the former Chelsea ace went on to make 285 appearances for the Red Devils.
During his time at Old Trafford, the former United star lifted a Europa League trophy, an FA Cup and a League Cup with the Premier League club.
Mata, who scored 51 times and registered 43 assists for United, would leave Old Trafford in 2022 and would complete a move to Turkish side Galatasaray.
Mata’s advice for ex-Man Utd talent
Juan Mata had a brief spell with Galatasaray before he went on to sign for Vissel Kobe in 2023, with the Spaniard only making one appearance for the Japanese side.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea player left Vissel Kobe back in January and Mata made his return to football in September with Western Sydney Wanderers.
Andreas Pereira played alongside Mata at Old Trafford and the Fulham player has now revealed what the ex-Chelsea star told him about playing as a traditional No 10.
“Mata played that position at Manchester when I was coming up, and we always talked about it,” he told Premier League Brasil.
“Since he was a traditional 10, he said that it was getting harder and harder for him to play, and that I needed to be different.”
Pereira on Man Utd struggles
Andreas Pereira came through the United youth academy, but the Brazilian attacking midfielder struggled to establish himself as a regular in the first team.
The 28-year-old Fulham player was loaned out multiple times during his Old Trafford spell and Pereira managed 75 appearances for the senior United team.
Pereira, who left Old Trafford in 2022 and signed for Fulham, admitted that he found it “very difficult” to play for United due to the different options available in midfield.
“I arrived in the first team with [Louis] van Gaal,” he said.
“It was very difficult for me to play because, at the time, there were [in midfield] [Wayne] Rooney, Mata, [Angel] Di Maria, Memphis [Depay] had just arrived…
“I couldn’t play on the wing, or as a midfielder or as a defensive midfielder, because [Bastian] Schweinsteiger had just arrived, too.”
Pereira added: “I thought: ‘It’s going to be a difficult year here, but let’s go around the edges, let’s see. If there’s anything left, I’ll play.’”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/tO0Qi1H