Manchester United saw Juan Mata leave the club in 2022 but the veteran playmaker is now making a new move late into his playing career.
Manchester United were hoping to see David Moyes continue Sir Alex Ferguson’s fine work upon his appointment in 2013.
Moyes didn’t even last a year in the Old Trafford dugout though as Ferguson’s hand-picked replacement struggled.
The Scot only signed two first-team additions at United as he oversaw a pair of fairly quiet transfer windows.
Marouane Fellaini was the first to arrive, following Moyes from Everton before going on to make 177 appearances for the club.
Fellaini has now retired but Juan Mata – the other first-team signing from the Moyes era – is still going strong.
Juan Mata agrees to join new club at 36
United raided Chelsea to sign Mata in January 2014 after he slipped down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho.
Mata ended up staying at United for over eight years and even featured prominently under Mourinho at Old Trafford.
285 games, 51 goals and 43 assists, Mata is still a favourite with many United fans.
United allowed Mata to leave on a free transfer in 2022 and he has spent time with Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe since leaving United.
The 36-year-old has no plans to hang up his boots though and has now made another move late into his career having outlined his plans to continue after leaving Japan.
Australian side Western Sydney Warriors have confirmed the signing of Mata for the new A-League season.
The A-League season kicks off in October and Mata is now on board for Western Sydney Wanderers after a seventh-place finish last season.
David De Gea on Mata move
Mata’s move will make headlines in Australia and the playmaker has received a heartwarming message from former United and Spain teammate David De Gea.
De Gea recently returned to football with Fiorentina after more than a year out of the game and he loves seeing Mata continue his career.
‘The best left foot is back’ said De Gea on the announcement of Mata’s move as he showed his support for the former United playmaker.
United fans loved watching Mata’s wand of a left foot at Old Trafford and De Gea’s message is just a perfect description of the magical playmaker.
The pair have remained close since leaving United with Mata recently supporting De Gea’s start to life at Fiorentina.
United fans will wish both of them the best with their new clubs and will hope to see them win some silverware after such great service at Old Trafford.
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