Juan Mata has rejected the chance of a mega-money move to the lucrative Chinese Super League.

Mata's representatives are understood to have been approached by intermediaries and sounded out about a potential switch from Manchester United to China for the midfielder.

But Mata has turned down the opportunity to earn a huge hike on his current £165,000-a-week salary and opted to stay at United, who are set to trigger a one-year extension to his current deal.

Mata is out of contract at the end of this season, along with team-mate and Spain compatriot Ander Herrera, but United have the option to activate an additional 12 months on both players' contracts.

Juan Mata has knocked back a big-money move to China (
Image:
PA)
Mata scores an acrobatic volley at Anfield in 2015 (
Image:
Getty)

United are understood to be ready to extend both deals, but are also planning to hand midfielder Herrera a fresh contract to reflect his enduring value to Jose Mourinho's side.

Although Herrera, United's Player of the Year last season, has struggled for a starting place this season following the summer arrival of Nemanja Matic, Mourinho still has faith in him.

With Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini currently out through injury, Herrera is expected to partner Nemanja Matic in United's midfield for Saturday's trip to arch rivals Liverpool.

Mata has proven to be a hit with the United fans (
Image:
AFP)

Herrera, 28, has started one Premier League game for United this season, but will be an important figure for United over the coming weeks, with Pogba and Fellain still some way off returning.

Signed from Athletic Bilbao for £28million in 2014 by former United boss Louis van Gaal, Herrera was linked with a move to Barcelona last summer, but remained at Old Trafford.

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