Mata: Couldn't turn down one of the biggest clubs in the world

It appears as though United fans weren’t the only ones who couldn’t quite believe that Juan Mata was moving to Old Trafford, with the player himself not realising the interest was anything more than paper talk.

“I knew there was an interest, although I didn’t realise it was true until the two clubs started talking to each other,” he revealed. “Chelsea told me there was an offer, an important offer. In the end, I did it due to the situation I was in over the past few months, and the opportunity to be at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. When you’re looking from the outside, you think it is, but it’s only when you are a part of it that you realise that it really is one of the biggest clubs in the world. Here I am, very happy in this new city, in this new step in my career, and I hope that everything will go well.”

Jose Mourinho made it clear that Mata was surplus to requirements at Chelsea, but the Spaniard has enjoyed David Moyes making him feel valued.

“More than anything, he made me feel important and I think that’s fundamental when you arrive at such a big club that has made a huge investment in you. It’s nice when the manager tells you “Juan, you’re important to the team and we need you on the ball as much as possible” and that’s what I try to do. My relationship with him is good, friendly and from the off, he seemed to me to be a great person. There are good people here. First and foremost young people. When you play for Manchester United it’s difficult because you have a lot of responsibillity. I don’t know what will happen in the summer but the manager said the other day at a press conference that he’s going to be signing players. I think this club is at a stage of change, a bit of change in the project, but as I’ll tell you, at this club the best players in the world will always arrive.”