Manchester United attacking-midfielder Juan Mata has named his dream starting line-up based on players that he has played with at some stage during his career, including six past and present United stars.
Enjoying a hugely successful playing career so far, the Spaniard has had the privilige of playing with some of the finest players of all-time, both at club level and on the international stage. Starting his career at Real Madrid, Mata moved on, joining Valencia in June 2007.
He enjoyed four years with the La Liga outfit before moving to England and joining Chelsea in 2011. He enjoyed another three years at Stamford Bridge, winning three major trophies, before completing a £37.1million move to United in January 2014.
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Although he has been unable to help United end their search for a first Premier League title since 2013, he has helped them win four major honours, whilst playing alongside a collection of household names. In total, Mata has named five former United players in his dream XI, plus current goalkeeper David de Gea.
On including fellow countryman De Gea in his squad, Mata told FourFourTwo : "David is a very good friend, and also the most talented goalkeeper that I've ever played with – his reactions are amazing. Every goalkeeping coach will tell you his natural ability is unbelievable."
In defence, Mata named former United ace Patrice Evra at left-back, despite only playing with him for a few months. The Frenchman left ahead of the start of the 2014/15 season to join Juventus.
"He'd been at Old Trafford for eight years before I signed, so he was experienced," Mata admitted. "He was a key figure in the dressing room, and could defend and attack really well. A great character to have around."
Fellow former United man Rio Ferdinand made the cut at centre-back, although the Spaniard, who is set to leave Old Trafford this summer, again, only played with him for a few months. "He had the next locker to me at United and was a great help when I first arrived," Mata explained.
"Rio was a leader, and his positioning on the pitch was always right. He was very comfortable with the ball at his feet and good in the air as well."
Moving into midfield, former United players and coaches Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs made the cut. Mata played with Carrick for more than four years, before the former England international retied in 2018, but only played with Giggs for a handful of months.
"He was an unsung hero who always played the ball at the right moments and the right times," Mata said, reflecting on Carrick's qualities. "He made his team-mates better, he controlled matches and, such was his understanding of football, helped games to flow.
"Michael made the right decision almost every time."
On Giggs, he added: "We weren’t team-mates for long, but it was a dream to play with him. Ryan was already a big star when I was a kid and I looked up to him as a left-footed player – he was gifted.
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"He broke all of United's appearance records, could run so quick and assisted many goals."
Up front, joining former Chelsea man Didier Drogba and ex-Spain star David Villa, Mata felt it was only right to include Wayne Rooney. The duo played alongside each other until the former England star brought the curtain down on his Old Trafford career in the summer of 2017.
Mata said: "Another of English football's greats. He could do everything on the pitch – even play as a midfielder – so he has to be in this XI. He broke the goalscoring record for both United and England, and it was a privilege to play with him."
Mata's XI: David de Gea; Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra; Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs; Wayne Rooney, David Villa, Didier Drogba.
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