Motherwell star Oscar Priestman has revealed what it was like sharing a dressing room with Manchester United legendJuan Mata. The Australian midfielder, who arrived at Motherwell last August, discussed how Mata influenced him prior to his switch to Scotland.

Priestman, 22, featured alongside the former Spanish internationalat Western Sydney Wanderers. The Australia Under-23 international described it as a "surreal" experience to be in the same changing room as one of football's most decorated figures.

Mata also showed his quality by offering guidance to Priestman. The Motherwell player said: "It was great. He is an unbelievable human being, unbelievable person, unbelievable footballer. I learned so much just from little things, even stories that he has to tell.

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"He won everything so for him to be sitting next to me in a changing room, it was a bit surreal. Juan's an amazing person. Like I said, just the experience he's had all over the world, winning so many things and I just tried to soak that up every day. I loved playing alongside him and seeing what he could produce on the football pitch."

These sentiments mirror those of ex-United winger Daniel James, who joined the Red Devils for £15 million, in 2019. In a chat with Sky Sports a year later, James said: "When I first met him, he came and sat next to me in the changing room and said, 'I know it's a big move for you, if you need anything here is my number and if you ever need to talk about anything I'm here.'

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"That was obviously great for me. "James continued: "I remember I got one of his shirts, his Europa League shirt when he won it for Chelsea. And he's just someone that I've always looked up to and to play in the same team as him is just surreal for me."

Mata, now aged 37, donned the United jersey from 2014-2022 after a £37m transfer from Chelsea. The Spaniard clinched the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his stint at Old Trafford.

Upon exiting the club, the former Valencia star spent a season each with Turkish heavyweights Galatasaray and Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe. Mata then headed Down Under for a single campaign with Western Sydney Wanderers before signing with Melbourne Victory last year.

Demonstrating his enduring class, the 2010 World Cup Winner penned a heartfelt note to Wanderers fans upon his departure from the club.

In a message to the club's faithful, he said: "Thank you very much to all the @wswanderersfc family: everyone who is part of the club, fans, RBB... You are such a special club and will never forget how you welcomed me and your support through the season."

After signing for Melbourne he said: "I am excited to be coming to Melbourne and to be part of one of the most respected clubs in the league and playing in front of the incredible members and fans.

"I am driven and motivated to help this team win trophies, and to work with the club as part of a longer-term plan to strengthen football in the country."

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Mata has also expressed his enthusiasm to help develop the sport in Australia. He said: "The league is growing, and football, or soccer as they call it, is coming back to where it used to be a couple of years ago. They suffered a lot with Covid in the sport, but they're coming back, and it's a great place to be."

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