Mata admits he earns a 'silly amount,' bemoans commercialised game

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has offered to "take a pay cut if there was less business involvement in the sport," empathizing with fans who believe football has become too corporate.

The Spaniard, who reportedly earns in excess of £140,000-a-week, has seen the arrogance of professional players first hand, and believes money now trumps supporters in the game's pecking order.

"The business side of football makes it seem as though the owners are now more important than the fans," Mata said on Spanish television, according to Sky Sports.

"Every player thinks he's Diego Maradona when he joins a big club. That happens to all of us but then you notice it in the younger players.

"You see kids who think they're rock stars; wearing extravagant clothes and driving flash cars ... sometimes you have to take them aside and have a word."

Mata stressed that he hasn't become disenchanted with the game, though, and that he simply is not too enamoured with football beyond the training pitches and turf on the Premier League and international stage.

"I don't enjoy the business side of football. I love the game. I love training and competing," he continued.

"I'd take a pay cut if there was less business involvement in the sport."

The 27-year-old is one of the more decorated players in the English top flight with winners medals in the World Cup and European Championship for his country, and domestic and continental honours from his spells with Valencia and Chelsea. Despite this, he questions the bloated salary he takes home each week.

"Football is very well remunerated at this level. It's like we live in a bubble," Mata added. "Compared to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It's unfathomable.

"With respect to the world of football, I earn a normal wage. But compared to 99.9 percent of Spain and the rest of the world, I earn a silly amount."

United earned a place in the FA Cup final last Saturday with a last-gasp victory over Everton, but first hosts title-chasing Leicester City at Old Trafford next Sunday.