United still a big draw for world’s best

Juan Mata reckons the world’s biggest stars will still want to come to Manchester United this summer despite the club’s recent troubles.

With 12 matches of the season remaining United find themselves in the unusual position of being way off the pace in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

David Moyes’ side sit 11 points adrift of the top four in seventh position, but Mata is optimistic the Scot can still lead United into the Champions League.

Even if United do qualify for Europe’s biggest club competition, it is clear major changes to the squad are still required.

Vice chairman Ed Woodward confirmed last week that Moyes would be given substantial backing in the summer transfer window, and Mata is sure the club remain an attractive proposition for the planet’s biggest players despite their current predicament.

“I don’t know what will happen in the summer but the manager said the other day at a press conference that he’s going to be signing players,” Mata said.

“I think this club is at a stage of change, but I can tell you that the best players in the world will always arrive.”

The rebuilding process started with the acquisition of Mata for £37.1 million in January.

And if reports in Portugal are anything to go by, then United have already started scouring the continent for further signings, with Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala said to have been watched extensively of late.

Southampton teenager Luke Shaw is also on Moyes’ radar.

The club have also been proactive in their push to get Wayne Rooney to sign a new deal. The striker is expected to commit his future to United this week.

The form of Rooney and Mata will be key to United’s chances of finishing in the top four, and the Spaniard is confident that he and his team-mates can do it.

“The objective is to get to the Champions League spots,” Mata added.

“It’s difficult because Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and Everton are playing well and fighting for the top four, but I think we have a team who can do it.

“This is Manchester United. When this club wins two, three or four matches in a row, it has a very important mental strength, a winner’s mentality. We are coming and I think we can do it, but we have to win a lot of games first.

“This is a club that should always be fighting for the Premier League. I think, in the last 20 or 21 years, they’ve won 13 times.

“The mentality of this club is to win and fight for all the trophies.

“Unfortunately this year, things haven’t gone so well in the league, but I believe there is still time this season.”