Manchester United fans were not happy seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admit his hopes of the club retaining Juan Mata’s services.
The Spaniard’s contract expires this summer and there are sections of supporters who believe he should be let go.
There are some fans however who feel Mata would be a useful rotational option for the squad and that Solskjaer should look to hold onto him instead.
The former Chelsea man has struggled to have a breakthrough in his contract negotiations with the club but his Norwegian manager is clearly a fan.
Perhaps Juan’s wages has been the stumbling block with the United board understood to be keen on lowering their wage bill.
He writes blogs and is a likeable guy isn't enough to keep a player at United for me. Just turned 31 and doesn't add no speed to our play. Sorry, but offering Mata a new deal at United tells me that this club/Ole will definitely not be ruthless come the transfer window.
— James Stretford (@Jamesstretford) May 4, 2019
After Everton, Ole spoke about having the hardest working team in the League, running for 90 minutes – Mata hasn’t finished a game in years. Why are we sweating on players who are past their best? City are smacking it and still looking to improve. Worrying times. https://t.co/CG8tZyzXrb
— Gaz (@CantonaManc) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Itz_Rayyan/status/1124402427984261121
https://twitter.com/TheManUtdWay/status/1124326378684538880
Awesome city about to sign players to their already world class squad while we’re giving Juan mata a new contract. Dead club.
— Liam (@Utd_Liam_) May 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/Alex94_mufc/status/1124380186902978561
Mata has unfortunately personified fans’ issues with the current board as they believe those higher up aren’t as ambitious.
Some supporters have accused the hierarchy of settling for low quality players on high wages and not investing enough in the squad.
It is a little surprising to hear Solskjaer’s admiration for Juan given how the player doesn’t really fit into his system at all.
The former Molde boss likes to play direct, intense, pacy attacking football that would arguably not suit the former Valencia man.