Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata accepts he faces a battle for a place in manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans with the club's tyros.

But with Solskjaer bringing more young players into the United squad with new signings Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, as well as academy graduates Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and James Garner, Mata's experience is vital.

“Obviously Ole has been a player and he knows that in a squad you need balance, you need a mix of young players and more experienced players," said Mata.

“It's true that time flies and it feels like yesterday when I was 22, 23, but I've been playing football now for a long time - 12, 13 years as a professional.

“I enjoy that part of the game, speaking to young players now and trying to tell them how I understand football, how I think professional football players should be.

“I really like them - Chongy, Gomes, Jimmy, Mason. Sometimes when you're their age you can lose your head a little bit and think you are a better player, or bigger player, than you actually are.

“But they're very calm and very humble, the four of them. They are trying their best. I really like them as personalities and as players. That's why they are here."