Will Manchester United midfielder stay at the club to reach two major milestones?

Some of Manchester United’s most loved stars are due to hit some big milestones in 2019/20 and after rounding up which defenders are closing in on their own personal targets, it’s now the turn of the midfielders.

The club’s longest-serving midfield maestro is Juan Mata, a Spaniard who has been at the club since January 2014 when David Moyes was the manager. Mata was an ever-present for the remainder of the season, playing in every game for the Scot bar one.

But once Moyes was sacked and Louis Van Gaal arrived in the summer of 2014, Mata’s United career has consistently been written off. Whether it’s because he didn’t fit into Van Gaal’s 352 system or because he didn’t get on with incoming boss Jose Mourinho, there has always been a sense of uncertainty about his future.

However, as Mata does, he found a way to get himself into the starting XI, scoring goals and registering assists. He got his just rewards, in the end, playing a crucial role in the run-in for the club’s FA Cup run under Van Gaal in 2015/16, where he scored in the final.

Reports once again linked Mata away from the club this summer after Spanish friend Ander Herrera left for PSG and talk of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanting to build a younger squad to move forward with arose. But, United’s number eight put pen to paper on a new two-year deal with an option of another year to squash those rumours.

On 218 appearances currently, Mata needs 32 more to hit the 250 mark with legends such as Edwin van der Sar, Norman Whiteside and Andy Cole then in his sights. It is a target which Mata could easily hit, having last year made exactly 32 appearances across all competitions and it is unlikely he would have signed a new deal if offered any less playing time.

Mata also only needs five more goals to get his 50th for the club.

Will Paul Pogba stick around for his 150th game?

Arguably Manchester United’s most well-known star, Paul Pogba is constantly being linked with a move away from the club. If he does opt to stay at Old Trafford for the upcoming season, he will no doubt play his 150th match for the Red Devils.

Pogba’s appearances (142) have been split over two periods after the Frenchman left, back in 2012. Returning four years later, it now looks as though once again, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, is trying to guide his client away from the club.

Everyone knows that based purely on talent, Pogba could go on to play 400-plus games for the club. However, he doesn’t deserve to be talked about in the same light as Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand or Michael Carrick (all members of the 400 club) due to his attitude.

Rounding up the rest

Jesse Lingard (167) and Nemanja Matic (87) will both be hoping to hit their centuries this campaign with the former nearing a double-ton of games for his boyhood team. Lingard would also have to produce his best ever season for the Red Devils in terms of goals if he wants to bring up his half-century – the midfielder currently has 29.

Andreas Pereira (35) will be hoping to go past his 50 and beyond given he has just signed a new deal and an increase in game-time will be high on his agenda. Fellow Brazilian Fred (26) will also have the same ambition, but for different reasons. United fans only saw the best of the former Shakhtar centre-midfielder towards the latter months of 2018/19.

Fellow Brits Dan James and Scott McTominay will both be hitting landmarks early on in the season. James, who was Solskjaer’s first summer signing from Swansea, will be keen to impress on his debut and McTominay (48) is just two appearances away from 50 after backing up his breakthrough campaign in 2017/18 with another strong showing last term.

Solskjaer has also made it clear academy graduates James Garner and Angel Gomes can expect more game time this season too.