Juan Mata has posted an emotional farewell video to Manchester United and their supporters after his exit from the club this summer was confirmed.
Playmaker Mata moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea in January 2014 and went on to make 285 first-team appearances overall, scoring 51 goals and winning four trophies.
He joined during the tumultuous reign of David Moyes and also featured under Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, OIe Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick over the years.
Juan Mata has posted an emotional farewell message to Manchester United on social media
He has vowed that his departure will not be ‘goodbye’, as he prepares to continue his career
Despite failing to win the Premier League or Champions League at United, Mata remained a deeply popular figure with the fanbase and his team-mates.
The 34-year-old will therefore part ways on glowing terms, and he has posted a video to Twitter made up of some touching words, as well as some of his finest moments.
His message read: ‘It has taken me some time to process the change that is happening in my life and this is a message that for many moments over the last years I never thought I would be writing.
The playmaker remained ever-popular among United fans and his team-mates at Old Trafford
‘But, of course, all good things come to an end and my time as a Manchester United player has just finished.
‘It would be impossible for me to express through this text all the feelings that I have been experiencing over the last weeks but to sum it up, I would like to say that I am the proudest man in the world for having represented this unique club for the last eight and a half seasons.
‘It is something that I would never have dreamed of when I was little as it felt too distant for a kid in Spain to one day play for one of the best clubs in the history of football. But sometimes, reality exceeds dreams.’
Mata went on to add: ‘As I am writing these lines today, I could not be more grateful for what my career has brought to me so far and I am as excited as that little kid about what the future might bring from now on. The same passion for playing football as that kid remains inside of me.
He enjoyed many memorable moments at the club, including his 2015 double at Liverpool
The Spaniard also played a role in helping United win the Carabao Cup under Jose Mourinho
‘It goes without saying that I want to thank every staff member that works in the club and that makes it so special – every manager, and every teammate that I have crossed paths with during my time in Manchester.
‘We haven’t experienced the best period in the history of the club but we did have some amazing memories along the way in the form of trophies and special moments together that will stay forever in my mind.’
The diminutive attacker scored several crucial goals for the Red Devils, including the equaliser in the 2016 FA Cup final and two goals against Liverpool at Anfield in 2015.
However, he was joined Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic and Lee Grant in leaving, sparking an early overhaul during Erik ten Hag’s tenure.
Mata arrived in style from Chelsea in January 2014 and won four trophies overall at United
But Mata will walk away as a free agent this summer with United’s exodus now in full swing
He also specifically penned a tribute to United supporters, saying: ‘Thank you all, I will miss you. For you, our supporters, I don’t really find words to describe how grateful I am and how special you have made me feel.
‘I feel very loved and this is something for which me and my family will never be thankful enough.
‘Manchester is and will always be a special part of my life, on and off the pitch, and I really feel like an adopted Mancunian. Living here and understanding what it means to be part of this singular place in the world and its culture is something truly special. I feel that I belong here.
He has wished the Red Devils ‘nothing but the best’, and also said he will ‘always be one of you’
‘I wish nothing but the best to the club and the new manager, and I really hope this is the start of a new era full of great football, trophies and enjoyment for you, the fans. Nothing more than what you deserve and nothing less than what this football club should be about.
‘This is not a goodbye, but a see you soon. I will keep coming to Manchester whenever I can. But for now, from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much for letting me be part of your history.
‘I am truly honoured and proud, and I will always be one of you.’
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