Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata outlasted four permanent managers, but the former Chelsea ace will likely depart Old Trafford at the end of the season.
The Spaniard was signed by David Moyes in a £37.1m dea l in the 2014 January transfer window, only a few months before the current West Ham United boss became the first managerial casualty of the post Sir Alex Ferguson era. Over the last eight years, Mata has also seen Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be shown the door at Old Trafford.
But with his current deal set to expire at the end of the current campaign, the World Cup winner is expected to be one of many United players to depart the club. However, his previous comments about midfield magician Bruno Fernandes suggests the 33-year-old is not worried about United’s future options in the attacking midfield area.
In April 2020, Mata was asked about Ander Herrera’s departure from the club in the summer of 2019. As well as regularly starring alongside the now Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Mata was also good friends with his fellow compatriot off the pitch.
But while he admitted he missed Herrera being around the club, he highlighted his delight at Fernandes’ performances at Old Trafford. "I do miss him (Herrera) on the pitch but also in the dressing room and outside," Mata told Man United's official website in April 2020.
"We were living in the same area. "We were seeing each other after training for lunch, dinner, to watch football together, so of course I miss him.
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"When you understand football in the same way, I think it's enjoyable to play with someone like him or with someone like Bruno now.
“You always miss them when you don't play with people like this." While Mata will likely be seeking for pastures new next season, Fernandes will likely be at the heart of United’s revival.
While many are bracing themselves for an almighty exodus of players this summer, Fernandes put pen to paper on a contract extension that will extend his stay at the club by another year.
The new deal is currently set to keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2026. Ever since his £47million move from Sporting Lisbon in the 2020 January transfer window, Fernandes has contributed an astonishing 49 goals and 39 assists in 121 appearances for the Red Devils.
Despite United’s struggles this season, he has still managed nine goals and 14 assists in 40 appearances in all competitions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. But even though the club were staring down the barrel of a season without Champions League football, Fernandes said United was the only place he wanted to be.
“Even after two years, it still feels amazing to step out at Old Trafford, to hear the fans sing my song and to score in front of the Stretford End," Fernandes said to ManUtd.com “It is a true privilege to wear this shirt and to fight for our incredible club.
“There is so much more that I want to achieve here, and I know that is the same for the rest of the squad and staff. More than anything, we want to give the fans the success that they deserve.
“We have shared some great moments over the last years, but the best is yet to come from myself and this team.”
