Juan Mata

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

If what José said is true, that he wanted to go to those filthy scum, then all I can say is F*** HIM, pathetic superficial moron is what he is and I hope that he flatters all the biggest star flops by being so shitty that the likes of Kagawa and Torres become grateful of what they've been through compared to him. I had considered naming a rottweiler puppy after his last name because I was so sure he could become our new Zola, but f**k him once more. I'm unfollowing him on all social media and I wish him the worst bar injury and that kind of stuff ofc, on the pitch when playing alongside those other pieces of dirt. F**k him once more.

Go fuck yourself and get lost.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Of course you can but don't be surprised when people call you up on some of the stuff you're saying. He did try, and in some games he tried so hard he was knackered by halftime (Southampton away). Mata realised he is physically incapable of playing the way Mourinho wants, he hasn't played a single minute for the last three weeks. He can fight until he end of the season, next year and up to 2020 if he wants but he will never be the athlete Jose requires for his system. This offer was too good to turn down for both the club and the player.

Don't bother pal, some people will always look for a Judas/scapegoat.

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

If what José said is true, that he wanted to go to those filthy scum, then all I can say is F*** HIM, pathetic superficial moron is what he is and I hope that he flatters all the biggest star flops by being so shitty that the likes of Kagawa and Torres become grateful of what they've been through compared to him. I had considered naming a rottweiler puppy after his last name because I was so sure he could become our new Zola, but f**k him once more. I'm unfollowing him on all social media and I wish him the worst bar injury and that kind of stuff ofc, on the pitch when playing alongside those other pieces of dirt. F**k him once more.

Just look at this classy guy.

[Jase 43,479]

David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 2m

Chelsea won't sign off Mata deal until Salah completes move. Salah terms/medical/work permit will take at least a couple of days

Man Utd not prepared to carry out Mata medical until deal signed off by Chelsea. Once Salah completes #cfc move, Mata to #mufc can proceed

Howard Nurse ‏@howardnurse 8m

Mata to #MUFC likely to be Monday, maybe even Tuesday now

[Toli 977]

1. David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 32s

   Man Utd not prepared to carry out Mata medical until deal signed off by Chelsea. Once Salah completes #cfc move, Mata to #mufc can proceed

   Details

David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 4m

Chelsea won't sign off Mata deal until Salah completes move. Salah terms/medical/work permit will take at least a couple of days #cfc #mufc

[Term-X 7,891]

Mourinho zealots already out to take swipes at Mata I see...'confirmation bias' anyone?

Mata zealots already out to make sarcy undermining remarks indirectly aimed at Mourinho (the embodiment of Chelsea FC) and his decision making.

[The Skipper 20,593]

It's clear some on here haven't played 11 a side football at even the lowest level. If you have you would understand how frustrated Mata is - from star player, marginalised to a mere bench player - despite obvious efforts to improve, he still didn't get enough playing time. If you played football at any sort of decent level you'd understand that he's leaving because he isn't playing enough at all and United are the only club offering an exit for him now.

[darrus 422]

Howard Nurse ‏@howardnurse 8m

Mata to #MUFC likely to be Monday, maybe even Tuesday now

Or maybe next year.

Sorry, but even after Jose's PC it still isn't looking like a deal is done.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

Oh an evil side of me wants Salah to join Liverpool instead then we keep Mata, just to troll the shit out of ManU Scums.

[Irakozium257 350]

Go fuck yourself and get lost.

I don't wanna get banned nor get bad vibes, so I'm not gonna fall for the trap, just know that I could retaliate in a million ways with words, oh and Chelsea means a lot to me since I was a confused teen, if you wanna play the plastic card. Just mind your own business if you can't reply without being personal.

[xPetrCechx 13,546]

Sad day...

Mata is a top top player and even more, is a top top person...

and he gonna be replaced with salah... #_#

[kellzfresh 7,226]

@GrantJames

Some footballers care more about playing than anything else. Respect to mata.

Some managers always put the team first. Respect to Mourinho.

[Ryan Fong 2,776]

I don't wanna get banned nor get bad vibes, so I'm not gonna fall for the trap, just know that I could retaliate in a million ways with words, oh and Chelsea means a lot to me since I was a confused teen, if you wanna play the plastic card. Just mind your own business if you can't reply without being personal.

Oh god, so you were serious weren't you?!

Look I hate the idea of Mata joining those scumbags as much as you do, but do you think it's fair to blame this on Mata solely?! What else can he do? Please enlighten me! Sit on the bench for the rest of the season and miss World Cup?

[The Skipper 20,593]

I don't wanna get banned nor get bad vibes, so I'm not gonna fall for the trap, just know that I could retaliate in a million ways with words, oh and Chelsea means a lot to me since I was a confused teen, if you wanna play the plastic card. Just mind your own business if you can't reply without being personal.

Lol. You've got to be kidding if you weren't expecting that sort of reaction.

I understand you're angry but you could be more respectful about a guy who carried the team in the past two seasons and is a big reason why we've got a strong foundation right now.

[Term-X 7,891]

Sad day...

Mata is a top top player and even more, is a top top person...

and he gonna be replaced with salah... #_#

He was replaced by Oscar.

Hazard can always play centrally too, as can Willian, even Lampard come to think of it.

[The Skipper 20,593]

Has anyone stopped to think that this is actually a good deal for all parties involved?

We get an insane amount of money for a guy we don't even play. Mata gets playing time at a decent club. United get a much needed motivational boost by signing a great player.

It's also good for the PL, as Jose said.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

I will from this moment on only ever refer to him as 'Mata the coward'!

[Fernando 6,375]

Mata zealots already out to make sarcy undermining remarks indirectly aimed at Mourinho (the embodiment of Chelsea FC) and his decision making.

Here's a good article about Mourinho decision making and how this deal was good for all parties:

Mata deal is best for him, United AND Chelsea

It's always sad to lose your best player, with Juan Mata having been voted as such by the club's fans and players for two years running. The Spaniard is known to be popular with the board, happy in the area and loyal to the club.

The sole reason for the 25-year old's departure, in that case, is Jose Mourinho.

You could argue that the touted £40m is a huge contributing factor but United would simply not be bidding on the playmaker if he were in the Portuguese's plans.The fact is that Chelsea are winning matches without him.

Mourinho has proven that he can contest for the title where predecessors couldn't without even playing the man that was deemed to be their strongest asset; something that he is likely to take real pleasure from.

The primary reason that 'The Special One' has given for dropping the former Valencia man is a lack of defensive contribution, or at least in relation to what he demands from his players. In Mourinho's eyes Chelsea will have had two luxury players last season, and in his system there is only room for one.

WhoScored.com’s statistically calculated player characteristics show that both Mata and Hazard have ‘defensive contribution’ as a weakness. Meanwhile, Oscar’s defensive contribution is ‘strong’, while Willian’s is statistically ‘very strong’.

Hazard is undoubtedly Mourinho’s luxury, while Oscar and Willian are being tasked with the hard graft that allows the Belgian to flourish. It’s worked, and he’s done exactly that.

Angel Di Maria played a similar role under Mourinho at Real Madrid. A tireless runner, Ronaldo's need to track back was lessened by the Argentine's work rate on the opposite flank.

You could argue that the Spanish giants had two luxury players in Mourinho's attacking midfield, with Ozil playing in behind the striker, but the manager has been quick to talk up the competitiveness of the Premier League in comparison to the 'two-team' La Liga at the time.

The Chelsea boss is clearly looking to press high up the pitch when possible, but also have more solidity to the side; a lack of which he may have felt cost them in recent years.

Chelsea fans can be as heartbroken as they like, and they will be, but £40m for a player that is surplus to requirements under a man that they were desperate to return is an incredibly good deal.

Ideally you don't want to sell to a club that, despite an awful campaign thus far, will likely still challenge for honours in the coming years, but there is no side outside of England that will pay that sort of money right now.

United are in somewhat of a desperate situation, and one that Chelsea are probably right to exploit. They need to rebuild and plan for the future in a time when key players may well see their own away from Old Trafford. Signing Juan Mata, if both Rooney and Van Persie stay beyond the summer, would certainly seem to make little tactical sense.

Any formation involving all three would surely see a lack of wingers, while Moyes is known for favouring attacks down the flanks. Indeed, no side has focused fewer of their attacking touches down the central third of the pitch than United this season (24%).

It's in this area where they've lacked creativity, however, with just 4 assists coming from wingers in the league thus far this season (Januzaj 2, Valencia 2). Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney, who has played in behind the striker more often than not, has 9 assists - three times the amount of any other teammate.

Mata is a superb player, there's no doubting that much. Since he arrived in England only compatriot David Silva has picked up more assists and created more chances in the Premier League than Mata's figures of 27 and 227 respectively. He can unlock a defence like few others in and around the box, but United will need to have a change in style if he was to do so to the greatest possible effect at Old Trafford.

The reigning champions would unquestionably be strengthening their squad by signing the 25-year old. They'll also be giving Chelsea a huge sum of money for a player on the fringes of the side, with which they can improve their team greatly where necessary.

United fans will be delighted at the prospect of seeing Mata in red if the transfer is secured but Chelsea's faithful shouldn't be feeling too blue over a deal that is certainly right for them at this moment.

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.