No fear! Jose Mourinho convinced Juan Mata will be success at Man United
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is convinced that Juan Mata will be a big success at Manchester United
A “convinced” Jose Mourinho has backed Juan Mata to be a success at Manchester United as the Chelsea midfielder closes in on a club-record move to Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old attacker is expected to pen a four-and-a-half year deal with the defending Premier League champions after United agreed a reported £37m fee with the west London side, subject to a medical.
We are convinced he is going to do well
Jose Mourinho
And Chelsea manager Mourinho is under no illusion that Mata will become a pivotal player for their rivals, who are currently 14 points behind the top-flight leaders Arsenal.
“We hope he does well,” Mourinho told his pre-match media conference.
“We are convinced he is going to do well. If Manchester United pay their record for a player, it’s because they know exactly what they want from him and what he can give them.
“He’s a player who has played here for three years. They’re convinced he is going to be an important player for them. No fears, not at all.”
Mourinho added that he expects the Spain international to get a warm reception when the midfielder returns to Stamford Bridge as a United player for the first time.
“Obviously when we play him, we’ll want to win and same with him,” Mourinho added. “The reality in the club from the owner to the last [person at the club] wish him well.”
The Blues boss added: “He was fantastic for Chelsea, and Chelsea were fantastic for him.”
Mata has scored 33 goals and made 58 assists in 135 appearances for Chelsea after sealing a £23.5m move to Stamford Bridge from Valencia in 2011.
