Juan Mata’s past comments on Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez

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Newcastle United are said to be keen to sign up Juan Mata from Manchester United this summer.

Newcastle United linked Juan Mata once said to FourFourTwo that he played his best ever football under Rafael Benitez.

The Sun have suggested that Newcastle boss Benitez wants to sign Mata if he opts to stay on at St. James’ Park.

And the Manchester United playmaker may well be tempted to reunite with Benitez, if the opportunity presents itself.

“I had a great experience with him,” Mata said back in 2015. “It was my best year in England, in which I had the best statistics.

“He gave me enormous confidence to play and made me feel important in the team.”

Mata, who cost the Red Devils £37 million back in 2014 (BBC Sport), and Benitez only worked together for a brief period of time back in 2012, when the Newcastle manager was in charge of Chelsea.

Mata may need some guidance to get back to his best if he was to move to Newcastle too.

The Spanish creator has only played a bit-part role at Old Trafford in recent times.

If he was to move to Newcastle he would immediately become one of the most creative players in Benitez’s squad.

At the moment it is not clear whether Benitez will be at Newcastle next season, as he still has not penned a new contract.