[-Supreme-]

^ Looks like the "stupid logic" may well be accurate. I don't see the issue if it's reduced wages and part of a wider goal of having him in a role behind the scenes.

I dont disagree that there must be a reason from the clubs prospective that keeping mata for another year is potentially due to his influence he has outside of the match day pitch. But whether it’s the correct call or not should be up for debate.

However by following the poster logic of if we can’t see what’s happening inside the club then we should stop questioning and debating them, as this applies to other examples including Phil Jones contract and many others that we kept hold of that should have been released or sold.

 

[r3idy]

I don't understand why he'd want to stick around in Manchester after retirement.

He has business interests and investments in Manchester if I am not mistaken.

From my point of view, if it's reduced wages whilst he transitions to a coaching or technical role then no concerns. Realistically his game time will be limited. Cannot predict too much into the future but as @Scarecrow has accurately commented, he has a lot of experience in the administration of football. We cry that we have too many money men and accountants running our club yet when you get somebody who has specialist education in Sports Science, is a footballer of experience at a very good level and is a pretty genuine, likeable guy then we could do a lot worse.

 

[charlenefan]

I don't understand why he'd want to stick around in Manchester after retirement.

He owns at least one restaurant in Manchester

 

[charlenefan]

However by following the poster logic of if we can’t see what’s happening inside the club then we should stop questioning and debating them, as this applies to other examples including Phil Jones contract and many others that we kept hold of that should have been released or sold.

No it doesn't, each case should be treated independently but don't let that get in the way of your dismissive insulting post to me it's obviously the type of person you are

 

[-Supreme-]

No it doesn't, each case should be treated independently but don't let that get in the way of your dismissive insulting post to me it's obviously the type of person you are

So just because no one can see what’s happening in the club then we should all stop discussing and debating the decision?

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

He has business interests and investments in Manchester if I am not mistaken.

He owns at least one restaurant in Manchester

He has one wine and tapas place in Manchester, he also has an ownership stake in his boyhood club in Spain. This would however make sense if he is serious about being involved in sports management as a sporting director after retirement. Manchester is pretty much the capital of football these days.

 

[VP89]

I dont disagree that there must be a reason from the clubs prospective that keeping mata for another year is potentially due to his influence he has outside of the match day pitch. But whether it’s the correct call or not should be up for debate.

However by following the poster logic of if we can’t see what’s happening inside the club then we should stop questioning and debating them, as this applies to other examples including Phil Jones contract and many others that we kept hold of that should have been released or sold.

I don't think it's stupid logic to suggest a Mata contract renewal is likely down to non matchday related impact that's probably going on behind the scenes.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

I don't understand why he'd want to stick around in Manchester after retirement.

He’s lived there for 7/8 years. He’s not stuck in a 2 up 2 down terrace in Moss Side.

 

[-Supreme-]

I don't think it's stupid logic to suggest a Mata contract renewal is likely down to non matchday related impact that's probably going on behind the scenes.

I don't think so either so I'm not sure what you are trying to debate here?

My point was purely around the poster saying "no one can question the clubs decision if we can't see what's happening in the club", we might as well stop discussing all other topics if that's the case.

 

[VP89]

I don't think so either so I'm not sure what you are trying to debate here?

My point was purely around the poster saying "no one can question the clubs decision if we can't see what's happening in the club", we might as well stop discussing all other topics if that's the case.

That it wasn't stupid logic, that's all.

 

[-Supreme-]

That it wasn't stupid logic, that's all.

Okay looks like we are in agreement then.

 

[sugar_kane]

I don't understand why he'd want to stick around in Manchester after retirement.

Are you familiar with Manchester? It's actually not the backwater hellhole some people seem to think it is on here, but a thriving metropolitan city believe it or not.

I know plenty of Spanish people who have settled here.

 

[Glory Glory Man Utd]

For me the Spanish magician should leave during this transfer window! He's doing his time with us, there are too many players stronger than him

 

[Tom Cato]

Even reduced wages l, what's the point seriously. He's never going to have an impact from the bench.

With respect, you're missing the big picture here. This falls somewhat within my professional ballpark so I'll weigh in with what's obvious to a lot of people:

Just going by what's being reported:

Mata is being extended with reduced wages to keep him in the first team squad as a rotational player, think cup games and the odd moment when a game is over, or even as fresh legs when we play park the bus and we're getting nowhere. He's the most creative player we have outside of Bruno.

Mata is MASSIVELY popular in the dressing room. He's a rolemodel of a professional and one of the players the coaching staff want the upcoming youngsters to learn from. Even if he doesn't play much, you see posts from our players on social media all the time celebrating Juan. Bruno Fernandes has been vocal about learning free kick technique from Mata. He's by far one of the most intelligent players we have with the ball. He's just gotten slow.

So in short there is a squad harmony aspect. Mata is being kept around because he has a invaluable mature influence on kids like Mason, Amad, Hannibal etc etc.

Secondarily it's about keeping resource people within the club and that's primarily the motivation behind wanting to keep him around. Good organizations keep good people, and they've identified Juan as someone they want to keep around in management and within the clubs hierarchy when he retires.

The club is wise to not opt to extend his contact, but offer a new one with reduced wages to reflect his role. The club is also wise to keep professional sportspeople who can make meaningful contributions to the club pyramid once they retire.

If Mata signs, I'll be absolutely buzzing.

 

[sullydnl]

Also, the idea that he is incapable of having any impact still is wrong. If you actually look through the threadmarks in this thread the games he actually played saw the balance of good/decent/poor performances you'd expect from an aging squad player. Good games against the likes of Brighton, Newcastle, Chelsea and West Ham, another batch of decent performances and/or goals/assists in other games and then a few poor games sprinkled in as well.

The problem is that he featured very little but we know a huge part of that was down to his absence for personal reasons. If he was actually available for the full season then he would have justified his limited squad role just fine.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

He’s lived there for 7/8 years. He’s not stuck in a 2 up 2 down terrace in Moss Side.

Are you familiar with Manchester? It's actually not the backwater hellhole some people seem to think it is on here, but a thriving metropolitan city believe it or not.

I know plenty of Spanish people who have settled here.

I don't have any qualms with Manchester as a city but the guy is from Spain and made millions playing football already. Every Spanish person I know living abroad wants to move to a place with more sun as soon as they can.

 

[KungPaoChicken]

I don't have any qualms with Manchester as a city but the guy is from Spain and made millions playing football already. Every Spanish person I know living abroad wants to move to a place with more sun as soon as they can.

Well the guy have a swedish girlfriend whom he have been dating for quite some years now who has an normal and meaningful job as medical professional at a facility in Manchester. She might prefer to live close to her friends and family as crazy as that might sound.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Well the guy have a swedish girlfriend whom he have been dating for quite some years now who has an normal and meaningful job as medical professional at a facility in Manchester. She might prefer to live close to her friends and family as crazy as that might sound.

Yeah, a Swedish girlfriend who went to college in London, where they met. I doubt she has any meaningful connection to Manchester other than Mata playing there.

 

[Frosty]

Mata is being extended with reduced wages to keep him in the first team squad as a rotational player, think cup games and the odd moment when a game is over, or even as fresh legs when we play park the bus and we're getting nowhere. He's the most creative player we have outside of Bruno.

Mata is MASSIVELY popular in the dressing room. He's a rolemodel of a professional and one of the players the coaching staff want the upcoming youngsters to learn from. Even if he doesn't play much, you see posts from our players on social media all the time celebrating Juan. Bruno Fernandes has been vocal about learning free kick technique from Mata. He's by far one of the most intelligent players we have with the ball. He's just gotten slow.

So in short there is a squad harmony aspect. Mata is being kept around because he has a invaluable mature influence on kids like Mason, Amad, Hannibal etc etc.

Secondarily it's about keeping resource people within the club and that's primarily the motivation behind wanting to keep him around. Good organizations keep good people, and they've identified Juan as someone they want to keep around in management and within the clubs hierarchy when he retires.

The club is wise to not opt to extend his contact, but offer a new one with reduced wages to reflect his role. The club is also wise to keep professional sportspeople who can make meaningful contributions to the club pyramid once they retire.

If Mata signs, I'll be absolutely buzzing.

I agree. Plus do we have any other players who have won the Champions League?

A lot of people forget how important it is to have players in the dressing room to keep spirits high and improve performance at training, like you said.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

I don't have any qualms with Manchester as a city but the guy is from Spain and made millions playing football already. Every Spanish person I know living abroad wants to move to a place with more sun as soon as they can.

I know quite a few people from various Caribbean islands who live in Canada because they don't like the heat. Nice weather isn't always a deal clincher.

 

[el3mel]

Eh, pretty weird really that we'll keep paying him money every month while not playing at all just because we're preparing for him to have roles in the club after retiring. Why doesn't he just retire now anyway ? He'll barely play with us in the next season.

 

[sullydnl]

Eh, pretty weird really that we'll keep paying him money every month while not playing at all just because we're preparing for him to have roles in the club after retiring. Why doesn't he just retire now anyway ? He'll barely play with us in the next season.

He made 37 appearances for us in the prior season and was only restricted to 18 this season because of the extended absence over his mother's death, with Solskjaer pointing out that we had missed him during that absence. No reason to think he won't play at all this season.

The question is whether he wants regular first team appearances somewhere or if he's happy racking up appearances here against lesser sides and as a sub. But he's still looking at 25+ appearances of one sort or another if he stays, because we play a lot.

 

[el3mel]

He made 37 appearances for us in the prior season and was only restricted to 18 this season because of the extended absence over his mother's death, with Solskjaer pointing out that we had missed him during that absence. No reason to think he won't play at all this season.

The question is whether he wants regular first team appearances somewhere or if he's happy racking up appearances here against lesser sides and as a sub. But he's still looking at 25+ appearances of one sort or another if he stays, because we play a lot.

A lot of players will be ahead of him in his positions. He won't play ahead of Pogba and Bruno in number 10, nor will he play ahead of Sancho, Greenwood or even Rashford on the right. We're talking about a 4th choice at best and outside of the early cup rounds and such, we won't see him that often.

 

[anant]

I love Mata and had you asked a month ago, I'd have said that he should be allowed to leave as he has lost his legs completely. However, it's quite easy to understand the positives of keeping him here, even if we leave aside potential directorial role down the line.

The side desperately lacks older players who've been there, done that. Leaving aside Matic (who may be allowed to leave this year), Cavani, Pogba (who might leave this year) and Mata, we don't have a player who's played in the biggest of games and who can guide younger players. He's clearly a person a lot of our players look up to and it isn't going to be the worst decision by the club if we do extend his contract at lower wages.

 

[jeff gurr]

He has one wine and tapas place in Manchester, he also has an ownership stake in his boyhood club in Spain. This would however make sense if he is serious about being involved in sports management as a sporting director after retirement. Manchester is pretty much the capital of football these days.

The capital of football is a bit of stretch !

 

[decorativeed]

He owns at least one restaurant in Manchester

Not any more he doesn't. Tapeo & Wine closed down last year, sadly.

 

[decorativeed]

Yeah, a Swedish girlfriend who went to college in London, where they met. I doubt she has any meaningful connection to Manchester other than Mata playing there.

They seem to be very settled in Manchester, with lots of friends there. They love the area they live (Hale/Bowden area). Also, don't forget these people are able to have one city as a base while spending time pretty much wherever they please when work allows.

 

[Matriac]

Still has a big impact on our youngsters, and that's one of the main reasons we should keep him around the squad if we can (and he accepts the new deal with lower salary, no guaranteed playing time, but fast track to coaching role after he retires).

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...ls-the-first-team-red-he-looks-up-to-the-most

 

[anant]

Still has a big impact on our youngsters, and that's one of the main reasons we should keep him around the squad if we can (and he accepts the new deal with lower salary, no guaranteed playing time, but fast track to coaching role after he retires).

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...ls-the-first-team-red-he-looks-up-to-the-most

They also released some interview of him with some kids today as well. Considering he's still doing all this and the club are inviting him into such promotional activities, have a feeling he's staying for another year

 

[Matriac]

They also released some interview of him with some kids today as well. Considering he's still doing all this and the club are inviting him into such promotional activities, have a feeling he's staying for another year

Yep, I saw that as well. Found it quite endearing as well that the club is doing things like that to appeal to a family friendly vibe. Of course, Twitter being Twitter, people in the replies were saying that people accepting stuff like that are fake fans, and that the club shouldn't make new series like that before they sign players.

We do complain about the mood on here some times, but it is still miles away from football twitter. (I generally like twitter and use it every day, as it's much more pleasant in my industry.)

 

[anant]

Yep, I saw that as well. Found it quite endearing as well that the club is doing things like that to appeal to a family friendly vibe. Of course, Twitter being Twitter, people in the replies were saying that people accepting stuff like that are fake fans, and that the club shouldn't make new series like that before they sign players.

We do complain about the mood on here some times, but it is still miles away from football twitter. (I generally like twitter and use it every day, as it's much more pleasant in my industry.)

Thanks to Fifa and FM, it seems people are more excited about transfer window and the potential incomings and outgoings than the players already present and even the games.

It was pretty decent and wholesome content, kids getting a chance to interview a player like Mata and him being all friendly and joking around with kids who are around 25 years younger than him

 

[Isotope]

...

Mata is being extended with reduced wages to keep him in the first team squad as a rotational player, think cup games and the odd moment when a game is over, or even as fresh legs when we play park the bus and we're getting nowhere. He's the most creative player we have outside of Bruno.

Mata is MASSIVELY popular in the dressing room. He's a rolemodel of a professional and one of the players the coaching staff want the upcoming youngsters to learn from. Even if he doesn't play much, you see posts from our players on social media all the time celebrating Juan. Bruno Fernandes has been vocal about learning free kick technique from Mata. He's by far one of the most intelligent players we have with the ball. He's just gotten slow.

So in short there is a squad harmony aspect. Mata is being kept around because he has a invaluable mature influence on kids like Mason, Amad, Hannibal etc etc.

Secondarily it's about keeping resource people within the club and that's primarily the motivation behind wanting to keep him around. Good organizations keep good people, and they've identified Juan as someone they want to keep around in management and within the clubs hierarchy when he retires.

The club is wise to not opt to extend his contact, but offer a new one with reduced wages to reflect his role. The club is also wise to keep professional sportspeople who can make meaningful contributions to the club pyramid once they retire.

If Mata signs, I'll be absolutely buzzing.

Yeah. Played 1 out of 120+ minutes in Europa Final. He really was useful for us. Those creativity, fresh legs...

 

[Tom Cato]

Yeah. Played 1 out of 120+ minutes in Europa Final. He really was useful for us. Those creativity, fresh legs...

Scored the penalty he came in for. Nice to ignore the rest of my post to make this cheap suit argument

 

[Isotope]

Scored the penalty he came in for. Nice to ignore the rest of my post to make this cheap suit argument

Just showing that him as a squad player argument, that should be his main role, doesn't really fly, mate. Ole didn't trust him enough, and he won't trust Mata next season with Mata is getting older.

The argument that he's here as a mascot to provide guidance and comfort to the squad, sounds like one of those Owen's flyer BS.

An experience squad player we should have is supposedly the like of Cavani, or Larsson and Sheringham in the past. Young players look up to them, and the manager trust them.

 

[hobbers]

If he's not good enough to play at all, and he isn't, nothing else really matters.

 

[Nick7]

No longer under contract now right?

 

[Matriac]

No longer under contract now right?

His last contract ended last night, yes. But all signs point to him signing a new contract for less money per week. It's possibly already done but waiting on kit announcement or something else.

 

[Nick7]

His last contract ended last night, yes. But all signs point to him signing a new contract for less money per week. It's possibly already done but waiting on kit announcement or something else.

I read we offered him one, hadn't heard he was going to sign it though.

 

[Adisa]

We have some fantastic young players. Let them play.

 

[Matriac]

I read we offered him one, hadn't heard he was going to sign it though.

In some articles mentioning the players on outgoing contracts there was some journo that wrote something along the lines of "it is understood that Mata leaning towards staying at United", add on to the fact that he's been featured somewhat prominently in marketing lately on social media etc. makes us think it's understood that he'll stay.