Picture: Ex-United star proves class is permanent in latest major honour

Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has been named Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year after his superb season. Enduring class Mata joined Melbourne Victory at the start of the 2025/26 season after a spell at fellow A-League outfit Western Sydney Wanderers. He lit up the competition in just his second season in Australia, netting five goals and 13 assists. He has recorded the second-most assists in a single A-League season after Aaron Mooy in the 2015/16 campaign. While Melbourne Victory did not win silverware, Mata’s season will live long in the memory. The Spaniard’s exploits have seen him scoop up Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Season award. 38-year-old Juan Mata has been voted Melbourne Victory’s Player of the Year after his 17 goal involvements for the Australian side this season. Class is permanent 👏🍷 pic.twitter.com/8TF39PdOoe — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 8, 2026 But it’s unclear where Mata will be playing his football next season. Speaking to AAP earlier this month, he informed the news outlet that he had not thought much about the future. The 38-year-old remarked, “To be honest, I haven’t put my mind into (contract discussions).” “I want to finish the finals – hopefully it’s going to be good for us – and then take some time to make a decision with myself, with my family, and put everything in the balance.” “What I can say is that up until now, I have enjoyed this season. I have enjoyed on the pitch, off the pitch, in the training ground, the culture and the environment in the club. So I haven’t made a decision yet. I will do it after.” United stint Mata joined United from Chelsea in January 2014 for a then club-record fee of £37.1m. He spent eight and a half seasons at Old Trafford before his exit in 2022. During that time, Mata made 285 appearances for the Red Devils, contributing 51 goals. The veteran midfielder helped United win the FA Cup, Community Shield, EFL Cup and the Europa League. He started in the Europa League final victory over Ajax. After United, Mata enjoyed stints at Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe before moving to Australia. Featured image Daniel Pockett via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!