Man Utd hero Mata: I was close to signing for Guardiola

Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata says he wants to play on next season.

Mata is a free agent after leaving Vissel Kobe at the end of the last J-League campaign.

He told Egypt's Channel 1: "I will continue my career, I am studying the offers that have come to me to choose the best one. I want to continue for many more years and finish in a dignified way."

Mata also admitted his admiration for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "I expected to play with him, but that wasn't the case. When I faced the teams of which he was the coach I suffered a lot, especially against Manchester City.

"I repeat, when I was at Valencia I was close to signing for the Blaugrana."