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Brighton To Offer Manchester United's Juan Mata A Contract At The End Of The Season

Brighton To Offer Manchester United's Juan Mata A Contract At The End Of The Season

Brighton and Hove Albion believe that they can tempt Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata to sign with them at the end of the season.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Juan Mata might be staying in the Premier League beyond his time at Manchester United after reports suggest that Brighton and Hove Albion are interested in signing him this summer.

The 31-year-old United midfielder is out of contract with the club at the end of the season, but the Red Devils are keen for him to stay at Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Mirror, Brighton are ready to sign the former Chelsea ace on a free.

Chris Hughton's men have secured their future in the Premier League after escaping relegation, but they believe that they could attract the Spain international to the club.

Ahead of the match against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær said that he was hopeful Mata, who has been linked with a potential move to Barcelona, would commit his future to the club.

"He's a fantastic person and a fantastic player," he told Sky Sports.

PA

"It's up to him. I've had words with him and he knows how highly I regard him.

"I was so pleased for him last week; it would have been so much nicer for him to sit there and talk about Juan scoring the winning goal against Chelsea.

"He's a top pro and let's see if they manage to agree."

While Mata's future might be in doubt, he has come out to defend fellow Spaniard David de Gea after an up-and-down season at United.

PA

The 28-year-old United shot-stopper has found himself under scrutiny after the mistakes that he has made in recent months, but Mata told Sky Sports that there is no questioning that de Gea is "one of the best in the world."

"I make mistakes, everyone makes mistakes, but you are a goalkeeper and when you make a mistake it is probably a goal and that's very difficult for them," he continued.

"But he has a strong mentality and he will save many goals in the next games and, again, he has been the best for us. He has my full confidence, and the team's and the manager's, and the confidence of everyone who loves Manchester United."

Should Mata leave United at the end of the season?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Juan Mata, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion, red devils, Premier League, England, Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjær