After being named Chelsea’s best player for the two years he was at the club, Jose Mourinho sold Juan Mata to Manchester a few months in to his second stint at the club.

Chelsea fans were devastated but the manager believed that with Oscar in the squad, there was no need for Mata. United bit Chelsea’s hand off, forking out £37m for the lovely Spaniard, and Mata has gone from strength to strength since moving to Manchester.

Mata has scored 14 goals and assisted a further 8 in 35 starts (total of 42 appearances), which works out as a goal/assist every 139 minutes. Out of interest, in the past two seasons, Oscar has 14 goals and 9 assists in 48 starts (total of 59 appearances), which works out as a goal/assist every 177 minutes.

Louis van Gaal has confirmed that Mata, who has scored three goals in his past three games, against Liverpool and City, will play against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge today.

I’ve said to him already that it shall be very special for him. Normally, I always put players in the line-up if they’ve played for the opponent, so I think Mata shall play.




------------
The RoM Manchester United 2024-25 season preview is now available. It includes articles from the country's best football writers about our expectations for the season ahead and our brightest talents, as well as proposed transfer business and which youth players to keep an eye out for. All profit goes to The Christie so please support this fantastic cause.