I'm confused. Are people genuinely and seriously hating Mata now or they are just feeling so because of the pain and devastation? The abuse I've seen him got in the past hours have been utterly ludicrous and pathetic. People are not understanding the situation enough and they are now treating as though Mata's contribution did not even exist! For starters, Mourinho - the man we are hailing as a legend now - would not have returned without Mata carrying us last season with his goals, assists and overall contribution to help us finish in Top 4 (and winning the Europa League). And if you remember, Mourinho has mentioned more than once of his dislike playing in the Europa League competition. Honestly, I cannot believe this has happened - Mata leaving and (worse) going to Man United - the team we all love to hate. Ever since Mourinho returned last season, I had thought there was going to be a compatibility issue between the two given the contrasting style of play. I had actually thought it was going to work just fine, that nothing bad will happen but perhaps I might have been naive then. I really can't blame Mata for leaving (something that I had been preparing myself for), even if it is to United. He wasn't playing and practically only United came knocking and he took the chance. Mata has tried to adapt and worked hard but it was never going to be quite enough for Mourinho's liking and fitting into his system and I think it's probably fair to say that we all had this lingering thought in our mind. I also think it's easy for us to be armchair critics and just quickly criticize him for what has happened. If you were in his position instead, you would be thinking or feeling differently of the situation. Most of the criticism or abuse I've seen him got is mostly from a selfish point of view or with a blue tinted glass on. Cliche as it is, footballers' career are short and Mata needs to decide what is best for him, which is to play week in week out, something I don't think it's gonna happen here with Mourinho as the manager even if I would like to think otherwise. Besides, we don't exactly know what has gone on behind closed doors. I know Mourinho has said what he has said in his press conference earlier and perhaps people shouldn't be so quick to judge the overall situation. Would like to give Mata a chance to speak and see what he has got to say on this, which I hope he does. Given his good nature in personality and character, think it would be unfair if that is not the case, no? I'm devastated as many of the fans out there because he's leaving the club and because he has always felt like one of us; from embracing the club, the history, connecting with the fans on social media and the way he celebrates some of his goals with the fans (e.g. Spurs and United away last season). And think what is making this transfer even more painful to everyone is because he's going to Man United, who we all hate, and it's probably ironic given I said in the previous sentence. He might be feeling the pain and hurt doing this to the fans but if he has to do what is best for his career, then what can we do? There is no point in him to just sit on the bench, no matter how hard he tries and work, if his style of play was 'A' and the manager 'B'. Never going to work out ultimately, unfortunately. What I would say is that Mata deserves a club better than United right now and they most certainly do not deserve someone like Mata! Thank you Mata. Thank you for the brilliant and beautiful memories. You'll be fondly remembered at the club. Good luck. And just thought I would share a few tweets that echoed my thoughts on this Mata situation.