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Out of contract at the end of the season, Juan Mata’s future at Manchester United remains up in the air.

Yet to sign an extension, the Spanish playmaker is technically free to negotiate with other clubs in Europe, but rumours have been few and far between.

Returning to Spain on Thursday to pick up the 2017 “Premio Reina Sofia de los Premios Nacionales del Deporte” for his Common Goal project, the Manchester United attacking midfielder was questioned about what could happen beyond this season.

Relayed by AS, he said: “I don’t know. I’ve been in England a while, in a league where I’m happy and where I’ve adapted well, but it’s true that you sometimes miss home, your family, your friends… but I don’t know if I will return to Spain in the near future.

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“I’m relaxed. I’m in a fantastic club at Manchester United, one of the most important clubs in the world. My mentality has to be short-term, and then do well from there.”

The Red Devils man also discussed his club’s turn of form since José Mourinho was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but insisted nothing ‘worth mentioning’ had changed.

He explained: “A manager who’s a club legend arrived and gave us confidence. I think it was important to start well and we got a good result away from home, with everything from that point onwards going well.

“I’m sure there will be difficult moments with this manager, and it’s up to us to give our best.”

The 30-year-old has played a relatively important role for Manchester United this season, featuring 21 times in all competitions, picking up five goals and assisting his teammates twice, taking his tally to 44 goals and 35 assists in 207 games for the Red Devils.