Juan Mata open to signing new Manchester United contract

The 34-year-old's contract with the Red Devils is due to expire at the end of June, and he is widely expected to leave the 20-time English champions in search of pastures new.

However, the Spaniard has revealed that he will hold discussions with incoming head coach Erik ten Hag over the possibility of signing a contract extension at Old Trafford.

"I will see when we speak how we feel" Mata told The Athletic. "What his ideas are, after that a decision will be made."

The former Valencia youngster has only made 11 appearances in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, with just six of those outings coming in the Premier League.

However, he has now featured in six of Man United's last seven league fixtures, starting their last two against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this month.

The attacker has also revealed his reasons for signing a new one-year deal at the club last summer on reduced wages despite having offers to leave.

"First because I love the club. Second because I hoped I could give much more on the pitch than I ended up doing, and third because last season was horrible for me, for many reasons, especially because of the passing of my mum," he added.

"It wasn't an easy season at all with the pandemic and that personal tragedy. I didn't want to end my career at Manchester United that way, without fans in the stadium, with all that I have lived over the last months.

"I am gonna be very honest, when we made the signings we made I genuinely felt, 'we are gonna really compete to win the Premier League now'. That's why I renewed, I wanted to be part of that. One of the things I always say: winning a massive trophy with Manchester United would be an incredible feeling after being here for so many years, knowing the fans and everyone working in the club like I do."

Mata joined Man United from Chelsea in January 2014, and he has made 284 appearances for the club in all competitions, contributing 51 goals and 47 assists in the process, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his time at the club.

A number of Spanish clubs are believed to be keen to sign him this summer, but Ten Hag could yet decide that he wants to keep hold of the playmaker for another year.

Ten Hag is expected to be in the stands for Man United's final match of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign away to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

A win at Selhurst Park would guarantee sixth spot in the table, and a position in next season's Europa League, but a draw or a defeat would open the door for West Ham United to move above the Red Devils, as the Hammers are just two points behind ahead of their trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man United interim head coach Ralf Rangnick said during Friday's press conference that the team have a number of injury concerns ahead of this weekend's contest.

Mata, however, is expected to again be available for selection, and the attacker will be looking to impress Ten Hag ahead of talks between the two parties over his future.