Will Manchester United win a trophy this season? Juan Mata thinks so, turns down Saudi deal to stay at Old Trafford
Juan Mata still believes Manchester United can go on to win the Premier League this season. So much so that he reportedly turned down a massive contract offer from the Middle East to stay back at Old Trafford. While the Spanish playmaker may have struggled to get some first-team quality game time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he still remains as one of the squad's pivotal members. Reports emerged over the weekend that Mata had an opportunity to sign with a club in Saudi Arabia with just one-year left in his United contract and the option to extend.
According to AS, the Spanish publication, the initial offer he received to make the move was $ 20.8 million (€16 million) which was turned down by his agent and father. A second bid came in at $ 26 million (€20 million) as the proposed salary, which Mata declined as well stating he wants to stay with the Red Devils and is confident they will win the title despite the erratic start they have had to the season. The 32-year-old midfielder was impressive in United's EFL campaign playing a key part in their 3-0 win over Brighton.
Mata may not have played as much as he hoped he would, however, he has earned Solksjaer's respect as the manager lauded him for his performance in the EFL. "His composure and experience (is vital) for a young team," he said, according to The Mirror. "I think he created more or less every moment in this game that was of the highest quality in an attacking sense. He is a very valuable member of the squad and a top professional. It is never easy to tell him when he's not playing.
"He has had a fantastic career, he has won whatever there is to win more or less," he added. "He is an example for everyone to look at, how you conduct yourself, and how you perform when you get the chance." On the game front, United are placed 16th on the points table with three games. Barring the win against Brighton, they lost to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur.
First, they lost 1-3 to Crystal Palace and registered a win against Brighton only to suffer a major shellacking at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Spurs. The next few games for United will be a test of their strength and a chance for the new signings to prove their mettle. United face Newcastle on October 17 followed by a clash with Paris Saint-Germain at the UEFA Champions League and then Chelsea. In their recent transfer window, they now have three buys in Cavani (free transfer), Telles ($24.4M / £13.5M) and Traore ($46M / £36M).
Hopefully, they can expect some Mata magic along with their signings firing to get their wobbling campaign back on track.