The relationship between Jose Mourinho and Juan Mata is well documented. Mata was a two-time ‘Player-of-the-Year’ at Chelsea before Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013. In a space of just six months, the midfield maestro turned into an outcast and was eventually sold to Manchester United. ‘The Special One’ was convinced that he lacked defensive attributes required to aid the team if and when required.
Mata had previously stated that he had ‘no relationship’ with Mourinho and ‘there was no dialogue’ between them as he bid adieu to Chelsea. He had a cult status among the Blues fans, who were clearly not happy with Mourinho’s decision to let him join a rival Premier League side.
Mourinho joined the Mancunian Reds this summer after getting sacked by Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich last year. There was initial tension between Mata and Mourinho. But recently, Mourinho has praised Mata for his match-winning performances. The 28-year-old Spaniard has two goals to his name already in seven outings for the Old Trafford outfit this season.
“My idea for football with the squad and objectives we had at Chelsea is one thing, and the squad I have at Man United and the profile and what I try to do with this club is a completely different situation. So Juan at Chelsea in my project was one player, and Juan in my project at Man United is another thing,” said Jose Mourinho at a press conference.
“He is very adaptive with his qualities. He has found a very good natural habitat with us,” Mourinho added.
It definitely looks like – Mourinho and Mata have solved their past problems and have decided to move on. The old wounds have healed or so it seems, much to the delight of the Red Devils.
Old Trafford. 🔥🔥 🔴⚪️⚫️ @ManUtd #mufc pic.twitter.com/ZAo3eyFLGR
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) September 25, 2016
