Mata happy to play for Mourinho at United

Football
By Mirror | Feb 24, 2017

Manchester United ace Juan Mata insists he did NOT leave Chelsea because he had fallen out with Jose Mourinho.

Spain World Cup winner Mata surprisingly switched Mourinho's Blues for Old Trafford in January 2014 - after starting just 11 times out of 22 games in the first half of the season.

United, then managed by David Moyes, splashed £37.1m for Mata - after winning Player of the Year at Stamford Bridge the year before.

But Mata and Mourinho were reunited in the north west this season when the former Real Madrid gaffer took over from Louis van Gaal.

"You know, sometimes in life and football as well, changes comes. You have to embrace it," Mata told BBC’s Premier League Show.

"When Jose came along, I wasn't playing lots.

"I had the chance to go to another great club and it was a good offer for Chelsea as well."

When asked whether he had fallen out with Mourinho, Mata explained: "I think it was a football reason, style, something like this.

"But no, we didn't have a personal problem. We are working together now and it is fine."

Mata has scored nine times for the Red Devils this season and is very happy under Mourinho.

He said: "I think he understands what this club means.

"I think that's very important, to understand the history, the philosophy and what the fans are used to."

Share this story
Ronaldo, 41, leads Portugal into his sixth World Cup
Veteran Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his country into the 2026 World Cup this summer after coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old in his squad on Tuesday.
Kenya's Afcon dream is under threat as FKF officials fight
FKF president Hussein Mohamed insists the National Executive Committee meeting of April 24, which voted to suspend him, was irregular, unconstitutional, and in his own words, a coup.
Kenyans now shift focus to Commonwealth Games after shining at Africa meet in Accra
After an overall second place in the continent at the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships, Kenyan stars have firmly set their sights on the Commonwealth Games in July.
New motorsports body up and running with autocross action at Stoni Athi
There was jubilation as fans welcomed the recognition of Motorsports Kenya Federation by the government as the official and legitimate motorsport governing body in the country.
Fight for survival now down to one team as Bidco, Sofapaka relegated
The battle to survive relegation in the SportPesa Premier League is set for a tense finish with five clubs still fighting to avoid joining Bidco United and Sofapaka in the National Super League.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS