Mourinho defends Mata to Man United decision

The Juan Mata to Manchester United deal is set to be announced in the coming hours after Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho confirmed the deal was done. The two clubs agreed on a £37 million fee on Thursday and Mourinho confirmed the 25-year-old Spaniard has been given the chance to travel to Manchester for his medical.

Mourinho also revealed the reason for the deal was of the respect Chelsea had for the player and didn't take any grudge from their failure to land Wayne Rooney from Manchester United.

The Portuguese said at his press conference:
“Things are going in a good direction. We have allowed Juan to travel and have the medical. The player deserves respect and to play and because the offer is right, we allowed him to negotiate.

“I still think he could be important for us, he is a fantastic player. Despite not playing a lot with us, especially in the last period, he could [have been] important.

“Nobody here is jumping because Juan is leaving. After that, it's the way you look at things. Would Chelsea supporters be happy if we stop a fantastic person they all like a lot from going and say you can only go if you go to Russia or China or France or Portugal?

“I don't know if Chelsea supporters would be happy because we are an open club. We don't have an old-fashioned way to look at things.

“But Juan had a fantastic opportunity. Another big club wants him in a country where he loves to be. We had an offer which was the right offer a player of his quality.

“The player deserves respect and to be happy to play where he wants.

“To say you cannot go to United because they refused to sell us Wayne Rooney isn't fair to Juan. They decide not to sell, their decision.” Follow @@kboakye92 https://twitter.com/@kboakye92