Juan Mata insists he is not focusing on speculation over his Manchester United future.
The Spaniard is out of contract this summer and although talks are ongoing, he has so far failed to sign an extension.
United are eager to keep Mata but he wants a minimum two-year deal and that is so far proving to be the stumbling block.
Barcelona have been credited with a interest in the 30-year-old, with United taking on the La Liga leaders in the Champions League later this week.
Speaking about his future, Mata told the Manchester Evening News : "I don't think right now is a good moment to speak about it. Because I prefer to put the team before myself and what we are going to face now is important enough to be focused only on that.
"There have been some rumours about myself and other teammates over the last week, so I'm not the one who is going to put more questions or raise more comments with what I say.
"So I prefer to put the team before me and focus on the important task that we have ahead, which is Barcelona. And that's it. I'm sure the fans prefer that because we all want to beat Barcelona, we want to have our heads focused on Barcelona.
"And, again, I don't want to raise any more noise that, to be fair, in the last weeks there has been quite a lot."
Mata went on to hail Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks to win his first match since being appointed on a permanent basis.
"The first thing I will say about him is he is a great human being. He's a great man. And you can see that since day one. Obviously he's a legend of the club, he's been a player and he's done great things, but his mentality, his way of communicating, his positivity since he came.
"He was very encouraging for all of us and all the fans and people who love Manchester United.
"So I'm very happy for him when he got the permanent job because I think he embodies what Manchester United is and he is a great person, so perfect."
montestiokah
0
My best of all time
Bibbkluy
0
combined line-up
Jababdeosy
0
that's our mata,always giving everything he has for man utd.never think of himself first but club.we respect & love you mata,all the best🙌
Cohadimuz
2
Mata should not leave please, he has done well for Man United and he is still doing it.
Chima92
2
Man Utd shuld try to keep Mata in the team. his experience n guidance will be needed to tame the young stars at the club who will eventually replace the aging ones. Man Utd shuld have a mixture of young players n a few aging ones to lead the the team.
zoybcdpyz
1
I say to the Man United board and all relevant parties to do the right thing and give Mata the two years he's asking for. I'm sure that United can come up with something that all parties involved will be comfortable with. As a United fan I strongly believe that just like Michael Carrick we need to hold on to Mata as he has what United is made of, heart, steel and loyalty.
norloser
0
Sorry but he will get bullied on Wednesday
Citymen
0
A very good and highly technical player but he shouldn't start on Wednesday.
jiuklorz
1
Good afternoon man u
pOdyssey
1
If Mata sign for Barca I think Rakitic is going to leave.
vamosl
1
Back in the day I thought the move was official and played with him in Barca on PES the whole year
FCBlahm
1
Barca tried to sign him when he was at Valencia but finally they refused to because it could end in a fight with Iniesta to be the starting player
petdnpuz
0
Wait and see
we will see whose talking on Thursday
Godwinwhizee77
0
well let's see about the so called Messi watch him destroy United
Wait and see
petdnpuz
0
I strongly believe that we can beat Barcelona and the so called Messi
well let's see about the so called Messi watch him destroy United
Benosky1
0
The most humble player I have ever seen. He has no problem.
Godwinwhizee77
0
I strongly believe that we can beat Barcelona and the so called Messi
doeadkl
0
We need mata he is a good player