Manchester United’s club record signing Juan Mata has stated that it is a pleasure to be playing alongside Ryan Giggs. The Welshman recently announced his retirement as a player, but only after having made more than 950 appearances for Manchester United in the illustrious career. He has also lifted more than 35 trophies including two Champions League titles along with several other Premier League medals. He is easily one of the most celebrated players in English football history. After having joined United last January, Mata says that playing alongside Giggs gave him a great pleasure.
Mata became the club’s record signing after joining from Chelsea for £ 37.1 million. Even though he did not have an impact immediately, his presence in the team has been growing with every match. Towards the end of the campaign, he was regularly contributing through goals and assists. The last four matches of the season saw Giggs becoming the interim manager of United after David Moyes was sacked. After ending his playing career, Giggs will now be joining the coaching staff under Louis van Gaal, who has been announced as the new manager.
Even though Mata played with Giggs only for a few months, he says that it was a great delight.
“Ryan Giggs was wishing me luck and telling me he was a little sad because he wasn’t the best left-sider on the team. It was obviously a joke but it made me feel happy that someone like him would tell me that. I never imagined I could play with him. When he started I was 2, I can tell you that I played with him. Nobody understands what Manchester United is until you’re there and the dimension that it has worldwide. It’s a giant,” said the Spaniard, who has been one of Europe’s best chance creators.