Spanish World Cup winner Juan Mata has joined the ownership group for San Diego FC, the MLS expansion team making its debut next year, the new club announced on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder became the first active international player with an ownership stake in MLS and follows England's David Beckham of Inter Miami as the only international players to be involved in MLS ownership.

"Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth," Mata said.

"I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a club that inspires both on and off the pitch."

Mata, who currently plays for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia, won club honors in England, Spain, Turkey and Japan. He was also part of the Spain squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

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"We're absolutely delighted that Juan Mata has joined the club as a partner," San Diego FC chairman Mohamed Mansour said.

"As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League among many other titles, he is a serial winner and in San Diego, we're committed to building a winning team for the long term."

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Spanish World Cup winner Juan Mata has joined the ownership group for San Diego FC, the MLS expansion team making its debut next year, the new club announced on Wednesday.

Spanish World Cup winner Juan Mata has joined the ownership group for San Diego FC, the MLS expansion team making its debut next year, the new club announced on Wednesday. The 36-year-old former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder became the first active international player with an ownership stake in MLS and follows England's David Beckham of Inter Miami as the only international players to be involved in MLS ownership. "Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth," Mata said. "I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a club that inspires both on and off the pitch." Mata, who currently plays for the Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia, won club honors in England, Spain, Turkey and Japan. He was also part of the Spain squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. ALSO READ | Davis Cup Finals: Germany beats Canada to set up semi-finals against Netherlands "We're absolutely delighted that Juan Mata has joined the club as a partner," San Diego FC chairman Mohamed Mansour said. "As one of the most successful footballers of his generation, winning the World Cup, European Championship and UEFA Champions League among many other titles, he is a serial winner and in San Diego, we're committed to building a winning team for the long term." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Spain's Juan Mata joins owners group of new San Diego MLS team

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata admits his team must find their cutting edge after a frustrating start to the Premier League season.

United's season-opening 4-0 demolition of Chelsea is already a distant memory after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Southampton showed the flaws in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Daniel James' brilliant opener was cancelled out by Jannik Vestergaard at St Mary's.

Even Kevin Danso's second-half dismissal for Southampton could not inspire United, who have just five points from their opening four matches.

United also blew the chance to win at Wolves when Paul Pogba missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw which was followed by a shock 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace.

"Two points dropped. I think we have to come to these kind of games and win and come back to Manchester with three points or the feeling is frustration and two points dropped again," Mata said of the Southampton game.

"When you score the first goal and you have the ball and you seem that you are having the tempo of the game, you need to kill (it off) and score the second goal and then the game is more or less done."

Those comments echoed Solskjaer's complaints about United's lack of killer instinct and Mata knows the team need to up their game.

"We started the season really well against Chelsea at home, winning 4-0, great second half, I would say and after that, at Wolves we felt we dropped two points," the Spaniard said.

"We lost against Crystal Palace at home which we shouldn't accept and it shouldn't happen again, and today another two points dropped.

"We need to find this consistency and try to win and add three points after three points and that's our main objective.

"I think we are deserving more in almost every game but deserving is not enough: you have to get it."

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata admits his team must find their cutting edge after a frustrating start to the Premier League season. United's season-opening 4-0 demolition of Chelsea is already a distant memory after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Southampton showed the flaws in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata admits his team must find their cutting edge after a frustrating start to the Premier League season. United's season-opening 4-0 demolition of Chelsea is already a distant memory after Saturday's 1-1 draw against Southampton showed the flaws in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. Daniel James' brilliant opener was cancelled out by Jannik Vestergaard at St Mary's. Even Kevin Danso's second-half dismissal for Southampton could not inspire United, who have just five points from their opening four matches. United also blew the chance to win at Wolves when Paul Pogba missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw which was followed by a shock 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace. "Two points dropped. I think we have to come to these kind of games and win and come back to Manchester with three points or the feeling is frustration and two points dropped again," Mata said of the Southampton game. "When you score the first goal and you have the ball and you seem that you are having the tempo of the game, you need to kill (it off) and score the second goal and then the game is more or less done." Those comments echoed Solskjaer's complaints about United's lack of killer instinct and Mata knows the team need to up their game. "We started the season really well against Chelsea at home, winning 4-0, great second half, I would say and after that, at Wolves we felt we dropped two points," the Spaniard said. "We lost against Crystal Palace at home which we shouldn't accept and it shouldn't happen again, and today another two points dropped. "We need to find this consistency and try to win and add three points after three points and that's our main objective. "I think we are deserving more in almost every game but deserving is not enough: you have to get it."

Juan Mata urges Manchester United to find killer instinct

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is a positive influence in the dressing room and must extend his stay at the club to help bring trophies back to Old Trafford, teammate Juan Mata said.

Pogba said last month that he could seek a new challenge after three years at United, while his agent recently told The Times that the 26-year-old intends to leave the club amid reports linking him to Juventus and Real Madrid.

However, Mata wants Pogba's future to include United winning "big trophies" in 2019-20 campaign, having failed to lift a major trophy since their Europa League triumph in May 2017.

"We all know Paul and he is a fantastic midfielder, and a very good guy, very positive, and a good influence for everyone," Spanish midfielder Mata told Sky Sports.

"As a teammate and a friend I would like him to stay and be happy because he is a very good player for us.

"We know we have to do better than last season. This club has won more trophies than any other club in England. We want to win big trophies again."

In Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first full season as United manager, the club will be aiming to improve on last term's sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, when they ended up 32 points behind champions and local rivals Manchester City.

Mata agreed a contract extension at United last month, and fellow Spaniard, goalkeeper David de Gea, is also closing in on a new long-term deal, according to reports in the British media.

"David is the best or one of the best goalkeepers in the world, for sure," Mata said.

"He is one of my best friends, so I want him to stay. On a professional level, it will be great for us if he stays because he will give us many points over the next seasons."

United open their 2019-20 league campaign against Chelsea on Aug. 11.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is a positive influence in the dressing room and must extend his stay at the club to help bring trophies back to Old Trafford, teammate Juan Mata said.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is a positive influence in the dressing room and must extend his stay at the club to help bring trophies back to Old Trafford, teammate Juan Mata said. Pogba said last month that he could seek a new challenge after three years at United, while his agent recently told The Times that the 26-year-old intends to leave the club amid reports linking him to Juventus and Real Madrid. However, Mata wants Pogba's future to include United winning "big trophies" in 2019-20 campaign, having failed to lift a major trophy since their Europa League triumph in May 2017. "We all know Paul and he is a fantastic midfielder, and a very good guy, very positive, and a good influence for everyone," Spanish midfielder Mata told Sky Sports. "As a teammate and a friend I would like him to stay and be happy because he is a very good player for us. "We know we have to do better than last season. This club has won more trophies than any other club in England. We want to win big trophies again." In Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first full season as United manager, the club will be aiming to improve on last term's sixth-placed finish in the Premier League, when they ended up 32 points behind champions and local rivals Manchester City. Mata agreed a contract extension at United last month, and fellow Spaniard, goalkeeper David de Gea, is also closing in on a new long-term deal, according to reports in the British media. "David is the best or one of the best goalkeepers in the world, for sure," Mata said. "He is one of my best friends, so I want him to stay. On a professional level, it will be great for us if he stays because he will give us many points over the next seasons." United open their 2019-20 league campaign against Chelsea on Aug. 11.

Paul Pogba must stay at Manchester United, says Juan Mata

Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Juan Mata's penalty and a well-taken effort in first-half stoppage time by Romelu Lukaku, given his first start since Solskjaer took over, sent United into the fourth round where they were joined by holders Chelsea who cruised to a 2-0 victory over second-tier Nottingham Forest.

It was a subdued performance by the 12-times FA Cup winners at Old Trafford, where Reading impressed, but maintained former United striker Solskjaer's dream start to life in the hot seat vacated last month by Jose Mourinho who was sacked.

"We have performed a lot better, but you can't ask for fantasy football every time and with the changes I made you can't expect it to have the same flow and rhythm," Solskjaer, who became the first United manager to begin his reign with five straight wins since Matt Busby, told reporters.

Alvaro Morata's second-half brace was enough for Chelsea, who beat United in last year's final, to move through.

Yet fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas, in almost certainly his last game for the club before he is expected to join Monaco, missed a penalty in an emotional farewell at Stamford Bridge.

Third-tier Gillingham grabbed the "giant-killer" award on a day lacking much of the traditional third-round drama as the Kent club beat Premier League Cardiff City 1-0 thanks to a late strike by Elliott List.

Accrington Stanley, also of the third tier, reached the fourth round with a 1-0 win over former winners Ipswich Town who suffered a ninth successive third-round exit.

Premier League strugglers Burnley made hard work of a 1-0 win over third-tier Barnsley in a match notable for a bizarre intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) -- the system being used in nine of the 32 third-round ties.

Burnley were awarded a penalty for a foul on Matej Vydra before the interval but just as he was running up to take the spot kick the referee Simon Hooper indicated that the decision had been reversed by VAR because of an offside in the build-up.

Manager Sean Dyche was left fuming but his mood improved when Chris Wood eventually sealed victory from the penalty spot in the second minute of stoppage time.

NINE CHANGES

Solskjaer made nine changes to the side that beat Newcastle United in midweek and there was a disjointed feel to his team's display as Reading matched their illustrious opponents.

Fred, another player to get a rare start, thought he had given United the lead midway through the first half but was flagged offside, although Mata was fouled in the build-up.

Referee Stuart Attwell, helped by VAR, brought play back to award a penalty which Spaniard Mata stroked home.

Reading had chances before and after that with Andy Yiadom and Danny Loader guilty of bad misses, and United were given breathing space when Lukaku latched onto a superb pass by Alexis Sanchez to round keeper Anssi Jaakkola and slot home.

The only moment of note in a dour second half, apart from a hamstring injury to Sanchez, was Solskjaer giving a debut to 19-year-old Dutch winger Tahith Chong.

In other ties West Ham United beat second-tier Birmingham City 2-0 at the London Stadium with Samir Nasri making his debut in his first game since completing an 18-month doping ban.

Austrian Marko Arnautovic put West Ham ahead early on but was later substituted because of injury. His replacement, Andy Carroll, struck West Ham's second in stoppage time.

Brighton &amp; Hove Albion beat Bournemouth 3-1 away in an all-Premier League affair with Anthony Knockaert, Yves Bissouma and Florin Andone all on target.

Everton scored twice in the opening 14 minutes against League Two leaders Lincoln City but scraped home 2-1 while top-flight Southampton were held 2-2 by Frank Lampard's second-tier promotion chasers Derby County.

Record 13-times FA Cup winners Arsenal are in action at Blackpool later on Saturday.

Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed his fifth successive victory since being named interim manager as his much-changed side beat second-tier strugglers Reading 2-0 at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Juan Mata's penalty and a well-taken effort in first-half stoppage time by Romelu Lukaku, given his first start since Solskjaer took over, sent United into the fourth round where they were joined by holders Chelsea who cruised to a 2-0 victory over second-tier Nottingham Forest. It was a subdued performance by the 12-times FA Cup winners at Old Trafford, where Reading impressed, but maintained former United striker Solskjaer's dream start to life in the hot seat vacated last month by Jose Mourinho who was sacked. "We have performed a lot better, but you can't ask for fantasy football every time and with the changes I made you can't expect it to have the same flow and rhythm," Solskjaer, who became the first United manager to begin his reign with five straight wins since Matt Busby, told reporters. Alvaro Morata's second-half brace was enough for Chelsea, who beat United in last year's final, to move through. Yet fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas, in almost certainly his last game for the club before he is expected to join Monaco, missed a penalty in an emotional farewell at Stamford Bridge. Third-tier Gillingham grabbed the "giant-killer" award on a day lacking much of the traditional third-round drama as the Kent club beat Premier League Cardiff City 1-0 thanks to a late strike by Elliott List. Accrington Stanley, also of the third tier, reached the fourth round with a 1-0 win over former winners Ipswich Town who suffered a ninth successive third-round exit. Premier League strugglers Burnley made hard work of a 1-0 win over third-tier Barnsley in a match notable for a bizarre intervention by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) -- the system being used in nine of the 32 third-round ties. Burnley were awarded a penalty for a foul on Matej Vydra before the interval but just as he was running up to take the spot kick the referee Simon Hooper indicated that the decision had been reversed by VAR because of an offside in the build-up. Manager Sean Dyche was left fuming but his mood improved when Chris Wood eventually sealed victory from the penalty spot in the second minute of stoppage time. NINE CHANGES Solskjaer made nine changes to the side that beat Newcastle United in midweek and there was a disjointed feel to his team's display as Reading matched their illustrious opponents. Fred, another player to get a rare start, thought he had given United the lead midway through the first half but was flagged offside, although Mata was fouled in the build-up. Referee Stuart Attwell, helped by VAR, brought play back to award a penalty which Spaniard Mata stroked home. Reading had chances before and after that with Andy Yiadom and Danny Loader guilty of bad misses, and United were given breathing space when Lukaku latched onto a superb pass by Alexis Sanchez to round keeper Anssi Jaakkola and slot home. The only moment of note in a dour second half, apart from a hamstring injury to Sanchez, was Solskjaer giving a debut to 19-year-old Dutch winger Tahith Chong. In other ties West Ham United beat second-tier Birmingham City 2-0 at the London Stadium with Samir Nasri making his debut in his first game since completing an 18-month doping ban. Austrian Marko Arnautovic put West Ham ahead early on but was later substituted because of injury. His replacement, Andy Carroll, struck West Ham's second in stoppage time. Brighton & Hove Albion beat Bournemouth 3-1 away in an all-Premier League affair with Anthony Knockaert, Yves Bissouma and Florin Andone all on target. Everton scored twice in the opening 14 minutes against League Two leaders Lincoln City but scraped home 2-1 while top-flight Southampton were held 2-2 by Frank Lampard's second-tier promotion chasers Derby County. Record 13-times FA Cup winners Arsenal are in action at Blackpool later on Saturday.

Solskjaer's United make FA Cup progress, Chelsea through

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is enjoying life at the club and says he is open to extending his four-year stay at Old Trafford.

The Spain international has made over 150 appearances for United since joining in 2014. His contract expires next year though the club have the option to extend it until 2019.

&quot;I&#39;m happy here. The club is massive, the support we have is massive. I&#39;ve been settled down in the city since year one,&quot; Mata, who has scored once in 13 appearances this season, told ESPN.

&quot;I&#39;m 29 and hopefully I can play football for some more years. It would be great to play until I&#39;m 40 like Ryan Giggs. But that&#39;s still a bit far, still 11 years.

&quot;You never know what can happen in football and in life. But my feeling now is that I&#39;m happy here and I wouldn&#39;t have any problem continuing here for more time.&quot;

United, who are second in the Premier League, eight points behind Manchester City, host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is enjoying life at the club and says he is open to extending his four-year stay at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is enjoying life at the club and says he is open to extending his four-year stay at Old Trafford. The Spain international has made over 150 appearances for United since joining in 2014. His contract expires next year though the club have the option to extend it until 2019. "I'm happy here. The club is massive, the support we have is massive. I've been settled down in the city since year one," Mata, who has scored once in 13 appearances this season, told ESPN. "I'm 29 and hopefully I can play football for some more years. It would be great to play until I'm 40 like Ryan Giggs. But that's still a bit far, still 11 years. "You never know what can happen in football and in life. But my feeling now is that I'm happy here and I wouldn't have any problem continuing here for more time." United, who are second in the Premier League, eight points behind Manchester City, host Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Mata keen to extend long-term Manchester United stay

Olivier Giroud headed home an 89th-minute equaliser to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw at&nbsp;Manchester&nbsp;United on Saturday and a Premier League point their performance barely merited.

Just when it seemed Jose Mourinho would again prevail in his long-standing feud with Arsene Wenger thanks to a second-half Juan Mata goal, Giroud popped up to head home fellow substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain&#39;s cross in the rarest of Arsenal attacks.

Injury-hit United had largely dominated proceedings and looked set to bring relief to Mourinho after an inconsistent start to the season when Mata struck in the 68th minute, finishing sweetly from Ander Herrera&#39;s cut-back.

But in a game that never reached the peaks of the fixture that was once the league&#39;s defining contest, there was little consolation for Mourinho in improving his unbeaten league record against Wenger to 12 as Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 17.

The match had begun in lively enough fashion, with Alexis Sanchez heading wide at one end and Mata sending a free kick just wide at the other.

Yet it developed into a dull affair until Mourinho finally got animated, screaming for a penalty when Antonio Valencia appeared to be brought down in the box by Nacho Monreal.

Both Mata and Anthony Martial brought fine saves from Petr Cech as United turned up the heat before the interval but, in the main, they were lacking any sort of cutting edge in the absence of the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Wayne Rooney was brought on as a substitute at the end of a week when he had been forced to apologise for his late night socialising on England duty and his introduction livened up United before Mata, the midfielder sold by Mourinho when at Chelsea, broke the deadlock.

Wenger has never had much luck against Mourinho but his substitutions did the trick with Oxlade-Chamberlain causing havoc down the right, floating in a fine cross and watching Giroud head home his 10th goal for Arsenal as a &quot;super sub&quot;.

The great escape for the Gunners meant that, even though they were unable to take their chance to go to the top of the table, they retained their six-point advantage over United.

(Reuters)

Substitute Olivier Giroud scored against the run of play in the 88th minute of the match; Mata scored for United

Olivier Giroud headed home an 89th-minute equaliser to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Manchester United on Saturday and a Premier League point their performance barely merited. Just when it seemed Jose Mourinho would again prevail in his long-standing feud with Arsene Wenger thanks to a second-half Juan Mata goal, Giroud popped up to head home fellow substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross in the rarest of Arsenal attacks. Injury-hit United had largely dominated proceedings and looked set to bring relief to Mourinho after an inconsistent start to the season when Mata struck in the 68th minute, finishing sweetly from Ander Herrera's cut-back. But in a game that never reached the peaks of the fixture that was once the league's defining contest, there was little consolation for Mourinho in improving his unbeaten league record against Wenger to 12 as Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 17. The match had begun in lively enough fashion, with Alexis Sanchez heading wide at one end and Mata sending a free kick just wide at the other. Yet it developed into a dull affair until Mourinho finally got animated, screaming for a penalty when Antonio Valencia appeared to be brought down in the box by Nacho Monreal. Both Mata and Anthony Martial brought fine saves from Petr Cech as United turned up the heat before the interval but, in the main, they were lacking any sort of cutting edge in the absence of the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Wayne Rooney was brought on as a substitute at the end of a week when he had been forced to apologise for his late night socialising on England duty and his introduction livened up United before Mata, the midfielder sold by Mourinho when at Chelsea, broke the deadlock. Wenger has never had much luck against Mourinho but his substitutions did the trick with Oxlade-Chamberlain causing havoc down the right, floating in a fine cross and watching Giroud head home his 10th goal for Arsenal as a "super sub". The great escape for the Gunners meant that, even though they were unable to take their chance to go to the top of the table, they retained their six-point advantage over United. (Reuters)

Giroud's late header gives Arsenal a flattering draw against Manchester United

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