Manchester United star Juan Mata has sparked rumours of an unlikely move to St James Park after heaping praise on ‘big club’ Newcastle United.
The Spaniard will face off against the Magpies, and his former manager Rafael Benitez, this weekend when the Red Devils welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford.
Mata has been heavily linked with a move away from Manchester this January, with a host of clubs interested in the former Chelsea man, including Atletico Madrid and another of his former clubs Valencia.
However, his latest comment have no sparked wild rumours that he could be set to re-unite with his former boss on Tyneside.
“Returning now to our game against Newcastle on Saturday, everyone knows they are newly-promoted but they are still a big club with several Spanish players.” he said.
“Among them Rafa Benitez, a manager with whom I was lucky to work with in the past. It will be nice to see him again,” Mata added.
