Juan Mata sends Man Utd parting message after ending eight-year stay

Juan Mata has posted an emotional video message to Manchester United fans after confirming his exit from the club.

The Spanish playmaker joined United in January 2014 from Chelsea in a £37.1million deal – a then-record for the club. Mata amassed 285 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 51 goals and winning four trophies including the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.

Despite not winning the Premier League title during his stint at Old Trafford and being part of a squad that frequently fell far short of expectation, Mata remained a hugely popular figure within the club and amongst the fanbase.

Mata enjoyed stints at Valencia and Chelsea prior to his move to United while he also scored 10 goals for Spain across 41 international caps. In August 2017, the Spaniard announced that he was donating one per cent of his salary to a pledge-based charitable movement named Common Goal, and called for other football players to do the same.

The playmaker has now confirmed his exit from United at the end of his current contract – joining Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic and Lee Grant. Mata was the third longest-serving player at the club behind Phil Jones and David de Gea, having been signed under David Moyes.

Despite the general underperformance of United over the years, Mata enjoyed many memorable moments for the club – and netted the equalising goal in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, which Louis van Gaal's side won 2-1 after extra time.

Mata posted a video via Twitter with the message, accompanied by footage of his best moments for the club: "It has taken me some time to process the change that is happening in my life and this is a message that for many moments over the last