Juan Mata can be a Man United great, insists Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs is backing Juan Mata to develop into one of Manchester United’s all-time great players.

The Spain international has already notched up two starts for the Red Devils since his club-record £37.1m transfer to Old Trafford from Chelsea last month.

We’ve played against him for the last three years and know the quality he has got

Ryan Giggs

Mata was crowned Chelsea’s player of the season twice after joining the Blues from Valencia – and veteran midfielder Giggs is certain that the 25-year-old has the potential to be one of the club’s best-ever stars.

“I think he could be,” Giggs told MUTV when asked if Mata could become one of the club’s all-time greats. “He’s obviously got the talent.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I don’t see why not. I think that coming here will help him with regards to playing for Spain as well, if he is playing week in and week out [for us].

“Spain have got a great side so if we have a regular Spanish player within Manchester United, it will be great because they are such a good team at the moment.

“The players are just like the fans. When they see a quality player come through the door, it gives them that excitement and you feel it around training. It gives everybody a lift.

“He has fitted in well. Obviously, we’ve played against him for the last three years and know the quality he has got. He’s fitted in straight away and speaks really good English – better English than most of the lads!”