Mata: I'm at Old Trafford in spirit

Mata, who left the Reds for Istanbul in 2022, says the side with which he won the Turkish Super Lig title earlier this year have bought well and will ‘put up a fight’ in M16.

Galatasaray are unbeaten in 20 games across all competitions and salvaged a point from their opening Group A fixture in Copenhagen, scoring twice late on to draw 2-2.

Gala have added the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Tanguy Ndombele to an already strong blend of internationals and Juan is looking forward to what they make of our ‘unique’ stadium.

“When I saw the draw and this game, I was like ‘Oh, I wish I was there to experience coming back to Old Trafford with Galatasaray,’” he told United Review, the club’s official matchday programme.

“But I was so happy because I told my friends in Turkey that they will experience something unique, which is playing in a legendary place like Old Trafford.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing what they say after the game about how they felt playing there, about the energy of the place. And to my United friends I will tell them that Galatasaray are going to put up a fight.

“They’re a good team and a great squad, and if you go through the squad player by player, there are a lot of important players coming there from important leagues this season.”

Juan is now playing in Japan for Vissel Kobe, after winning his first championship medal with Galatasaray during his only season with the Turkish club.

Mata may have to catch up on the head-to-head between his former team-mates, rather than watching live, as the time in the Far East at kick-off will be 4am. 

Despite those difficulties, the man they call ‘El Mago’ is still tracking United’s progress from afar and backs Erik ten Hag’s side to recover from a difficult beginning to the 2023/24 campaign.

“Watching United is not easy with the time difference. Sometimes I wake up here in the morning and realise there was a Champions League match the night before because I’ve lost track of days and time zones!” Juan added.

“I will definitely try to watch this game, and of course I keep in touch with a lot of people at the club.

“United will always feel like home for me. I speak a lot with Bruno [Fernandes] especially and I’m always following the club and hoping for a great season for them, and for more good football and trophies.

“I know the start hasn’t been easy but hopefully things will be better from now, and I’m sure it will because the squad is really good.

“Hopefully it’s a great game tonight and if I cannot watch it live, I will watch it afterwards, because it’s very special for me to see such important teams in my career facing each other. I’ll be watching from quite a far distance away, but I’ll be there in spirit!”

To read more from Juan, make sure you purchase a copy of United Review.

The club’s official programme will be available at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening or you can order it online here.