Juan Mata says it is more meaningful to help people than score a goal in a cup final.

The Manchester United veteran founded Common Goal, an initiative where by footballers sacrifice a small percentage of their earnings to charitable causes around the world.

"It's a reality that there is a lot of money in football. And for me, the problem is not that," Mata said in an interview withESPN FC.

"That's not a problem at all because football generates a lot of things for the world, and a lot of passion and a lot of money. So it's normal that something that big generates a lot of money.

"If we can use a part of that money to actually invest in football, but in a different kind of football, which is a social football, then I think it makes a lot of sense."

He added: "Helping other people is probably more meaningful than scoring a goal in the final.

"If you can do something different, a different kind of goal, then much better."