First-class Juan Mata can become Man Utd great, says Sir Bobby Charlton

Manchester United's Juan Mata Photo: The Sport Review

Juan Mata is first class and can become a Manchester United great, according to Sir Bobby Charlton.

The Spain international is starting to recreate his performances at Chelsea after scoring a brace in a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United at St James’s Park last weekend.

He is a fantastic player already but could go on to become a great one. I’m sure that’s his aim

Sir Bobby Charlton

Mata has scored three goals and made four assists in 11 Premier League appearances after sealing a club-record £37.1m move to Old Trafford from Chelsea in January.

And United legend Charlton admitted he has been a long-term admirer of Mata and backed the 25-year-old to becoming a true great at the Red Devils.

“I like Juan Mata a lot,” Charlton told United Review.

“I must admit I admired him the very first time I saw him play on television, but I did not think we would have the opportunity to sign him. He is a fantastic player already but could go on to become a great one. I’m sure that’s his aim.

“In the coming months and years, he will get the opportunity to score and make more goals because he is simply first class. You can already see how much he loves being here and he is a very nice man to go with it.”