Juan Mata has finally broken his long-held silence after he joined Galatasaray from Manchester United. Juan Mata was among the out-of-favor Manchester United players who had to hit the exit door after their contract with the club expired.
Mata nearly faded into the woodwork after nine years spell at Old Trafford. Still, it appears that hope had returned after the Spaniard successfully landed a deal with his new club – Galatasaray.
Mata joined Manchester United in 2014 for €46m. He first signed a four-year contract that kept him at the Old Trafford club till 2018 before he extended it. Mata’s departure to Manchester United in 2014 followed a series of irregular appearances for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho. Mourinho allowed Mata to join their Premier League rivals after Mata had admitted that ‘he was happy to go,’ as he struggled to break into Jose Mourinho’s first team at Chelsea.
Mata made his debut for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City on January 28, 2014. His first goal for Manchester United came in the club’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa. He had a great season for Manchester United. His best performance was against arch-rivals Liverpool on 22 March 2015. He bagged a brace against Liverpool as Man United ran away as 2-1 winners over Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Mata scored a bicycle kick in that match, and his goal was nominated for the Premier League goal of the month award. He won the Manchester United player of the month of March award due to his outstanding performance.
Despite his great debut season for Manchester United, his fortunes at the club began to dwindle towards the final days of his contract. Mata signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, which ran out at the end of last season, and the contract was not renewed.
Mata has signed a one-year contract with Galatasaray after flying to Turkey for talks. Speaking after confirming his deal with the club, Mata expressed his happiness to join the team and his readiness to fight in the front for the Turkish giants.
“I feel so good”, he said. “I am excited and very motivated. I’m grateful for being here. Everyone is being very friendly. I can’t wait to win with Galatasaray. I can’t wait to fight in front of our fans. Galatasaray is the team with the greatest success in Turkey.”
Mata went emotional recalling the sudden turn of things at Old Trafford in his last days at the club. He said: “From here, from the middle of the pitch at Old Trafford, at night. I’m alone. Actually, this feels like a dream.”
Mata has joined Galatasaray after Manchester United fail to renew his contract. He had been phenomenal at Manchester United throughout his 8 years spell with the club. He signed a one-year contract extension, and his fortunes began to dwindle at the tail end of his stay at the club.
He left Manchester United at the end of last summer after the expiration of his one-year contract extension after making 281 appearances, scoring 51 goals, and winning 4 trophies.
Spotlights On Juan Mata’s All Goals
