United boss tells all about transfer
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has spoken the truth about Juan Mata’s move from Chelsea to Manchester United in 2014.
Mourinho was Chelsea manager at the time the Blues sold Mata to United, but Mourinho is claiming that he was not involved in the deal.
“He was one who asked to leave, and when a player asks to leave you obviously have to think twice.
Mourinho admitted Mata was not suited to the style of football he implemented at Chelsea, but suggested he would get more game-time at Old Trafford.
“My idea of football with the squad I had at Chelsea and the objectives is one thing and the football I want to play at United – the profile of my squad and what I want to try to do in this club – is completely different,” the United boss said.
“I think my project at Chelsea [he] was a good player and at United he is a very good player.
“At United I have players to play transitional football. We are not so physically strong or compact like we were playing in a defensive block, like we did when we won the title in 2014-15.”
Mata has scored two goals in seven games for the Red Devils this season, including a stunning second in the 4-1 win over Leicester on Saturday.
“One thing is players for that thing and another is playing in a different way,” Mourinho added. “We are trying to play in a different way, we are at the beginning of that process.
“It is adaptive to his qualities and he has found a very good natural habitat for his football playing for us.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
