MATA: I HAD NO ISSUES WITH JOSE!
MATA OPENS UP ABOUT HIS TIME WITH THE REDS IN HIS NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY
SIX days after United won the FA Cup in 2016, Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal as the club’s new manager.
Juan Mata, a goalscorer in the final, worked with Mourinho for six months at Chelsea before the Portuguese sanctioned his £37.1m move to United in January 2014.
The return of Mourinho sparked speculation Mata’s United career was in jeopardy, though M.E.N. Sport reported at the time the Spaniard had no issue with the new manager.
In this extract from his new book, Suddenly a Footballer, Mata recalls his reunion with Mourinho...
“Mourinho was my manager again. And, despite the concern of my family, friends and many people, I was determined to face the situation as I’d always tried to: positively.
“As expected, so many stories came out again in the press. I had no possible future at the club. I had already agreed to leave. Far too many people believed the information was true, again, and reached the conclusion that I had no future under him. José and I were together at Chelsea before, of course, and after having being together for sixth months, my career would take a different direction: Manchester. Yes, I didn’t enjoy as much playing time as I would have loved to or was used to during those sixth months, but I never had a personal problem with José.
“Naturally, people assumed that the story would repeat itself. I was determined it wouldn’t. To do so, I focused, like many times during my career, on what I could control: my dedication, professionalism and commitment. Time would prove me right. If you ask me, yes, this is an aspect of my career that I’m very proud of, because, regardless of winning or losing, playing more or less, I didn’t take the easier way. I didn’t give up.
“The first conversation between José and me, which
many were waiting for, thinking it could be the last, was as plain and normal as you can imagine. He greeted me normally, in a manner befitting our relationship.
“There was no need to discuss what happened at Chelsea. I preferred letting my football speak for itself.”
Juan Mata is proud to support Common Goal which aims to unite the global football community in tackling the greatest social challenges of our time. He is giving 99 per cent of his proceeds from this book to this cause. Why 99 per cent? Read the book to find out . . . ‘
Juan Mata: Suddenly A Footballer’ is on sale in all good bookshops from September 26. Juan Mata will be signing copies of his autobiography in Waterstones Deansgate store, Friday 27th September 4pm on strict first come first served basis.