Mata: Everyone Should Play Here

With the transfer window open until 1 February, Manchester United's Juan Mata has emphasised his passion for English football and encouraged other overseas stars to play in England.

The Spaniard is approaching the second anniversary of his mid-season transfer from Chelsea, the club he joined from Valencia in August 2011, and he loves the game, the culture and lifestyle in England more than ever.

During an exclusive interview for the new issue of Inside United magazine, our creative no.8 admits he has become a confirmed Anglophile at Old Trafford.

“I enjoy everything about football in this country,” says Juan, as part of a six-page exclusive interview. “Since the moment I came over here more than four years ago, I have enjoyed every minute. I think it’s a great experience to play football here and I always say the same.

“I would advise any player in the world to try to play in the Premier League for at least one season and realise how big and how massive football is in this country. We’re talking about respect from fans, great organisation in the league… I really like it.”

As well as discussing his favourite parts of English life and culture – revealing his love of a meat pie, country pubs and The Kinks – Mata also discusses the best atmospheres he's experienced and, unsurprisingly, the midfield maestro names this weekend’s opponents Liverpool alongside one other fierce rival.

“It's probably when we have played Liverpool or Manchester City at home,” Mata says. “Last season, we beat them both at Old Trafford and they were some of my best memories because the crowd went crazy for our goals, celebrating our success against our big rivals.

“We do feel the difference in atmosphere. They are the two big games when you can feel a different atmosphere with the fans and feel how much those matches mean."