Spaniard close to agreeing new Manchester United deal

Juan Mata is close to signing a contract extension to extend his stay at Manchester United, claims The Daily Mirror.

Mata’s current deal expires this summer and it was thought he would leave on a free transfer next month.

Valencia, Arsenal and Barcelona have all been heavily linked with a move for Mata since the turn of the year.

United were previously willing to match Mata’s wage demands but a compromise is close to being agreed.

Mata is expected to sign a new one-year deal to tie him down at Old Trafford for another season.

The 31-year-old is a hugely popular figure at United even if he has spent the last few years as a squad player.

Mata only made 22 Premier League appearances last season and six of those were as a substitute.

The former Spain international played a direct hand in five goals (three goals, two assists) in that time – his worst ever return in a Premier League campaign.

Since August 2017, United have a better win ratio in the Premier League when Mata has started (66.7%) compared to when he has not featured from the off (48.6%).