It was hard for Chelsea to let ‘classy’ Mata join Man United, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits that it was a difficult decision to let Juan Mata leave Chelsea to join Manchester United.

The 25-year-old playmaker completed a club-record £37.1m transfer to Old Trafford on Saturday after failing to cement a regular starting spot under Mourinho at Chelsea this season.

He’s very classy. I think he’s a player that stays in the fans’ hearts and also in those of his colleagues

Jose Mourinho

The Blues’ decision to sell the Spain international to a Premier League rival has been called into question by some.

But Mourinho defended the move following his side’s 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Stoke City on Sunday.

“These are decisions a manager has to make, but for me it was a hard decision. I’d love to have him in my squad, absolutely,” Mourinho told BBC Sport.

“But to have a player in this situation is hard. He deserves that Chelsea open the door for him [to play regular first-team football].

“I like people to be happy. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make him happy in this squad – I’m so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my number 10.”

Mourinho continued: “He’s very classy. I think he’s a player that stays in the fans’ hearts and also in those of his colleagues.

“I’m just with him six months and I like him a lot. Imagine the people who have been with him for three years. He stays in the club history – he won important trophies and people loved him.

“He will come here with a Manchester United shirt on one day and the people will show him that.”

Mata, who joined Chelsea from Valencia for £23.5m in 2011, has been Chelsea’s player of the year in each of the last two seasons.

He scored 32 goals for the west Londoners and made over 130 appearances but has failed to cement a regular starting spot under new Blues manager Jose Mourinho this season.