Juan Mata quashes retirement rumours, says he is 'ready to perform' for Manchester United despite lack of minutes

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has quashed claims he could be set for retirement at the end of the season stating he still has a 'lot of passion and a lot of will to keep enjoying football.' The 33-year-old has managed just five appearances for the club this season sparking suggestions the Spaniard could be set to hang up the boots, with his current contract set to expire in June and no signs yet of an extension. Ad/> Mata, who joined the Red Devils from Premier League rivals Chelsea in 2014, has racked up 51 goals and 47 assists in 278 games for the club and in spite the fact his playing time has dried up, the midfield maestro is adamant he still has more to give.

TransfersMan Utd keen on Phillips, not Rice, as Mata considers January exit – Paper Round27/09/2021 AT 22:07 «I haven't been playing as much as I would like this season and I really miss it,» he admitted. «I'm enjoying training with my team mates and I really want to show that I can enjoy playing and giving what I can give to the team.» /> Having started his career in his homeland at Real Madrid's Castilla team, he joined fellow La Liga outfit Valencia before Chelsea prized him to England.

Mata made 135 appearances for the Blues, where he was named Player of the Year in 2011-12 and 2012-13 consecutively ahead of his move north to Manchester. On an individual and collective level, Mata's career to date has been nothing short of glittering.

He has several illustrious accolades such as World Cup and Champions League winners' medals to his name and his love for the game has not gone away. «I miss it and I still have a lot of passion and a lot of will to keep enjoying football,» he said.