Juan Mata

[the wes 7,212]

The Manchester United playmaker turned out against his old club for the first time since his £37.1m move in January.

Mata was a fans' favourite at Stamford Bridge and he was given a warm ovation from the travelling Blues faithful during the 1-1 draw.

He said: "As you can imagine, this has been a very intense day for me.

"A Sunday full of emotions because of the big game against Chelsea. Facing them for the first time was special and the match, very even in my opinion, was tense until the last minute.

"The truth is I felt very comfortable on the pitch and it was nice to meet again friends and former team-mates after all these months.

"In the end, when you are on the pitch you concentrate on doing your job to help your team, and you must be absolutely focused on that.

"As always, the atmosphere in Old Trafford was spectacular. Your support this season is vital.

"It’s worth mentioning the Chelsea fans in Old Trafford. Their affection comforts me and, as I have said so many times, I will always feel grateful to them and to the club.

"I feel there is mutual respect and this is very important for me in all aspects of life."

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/407091/Juan-Mata-Man-Utd-v-Chelsea

[Pizy 18,368]

I hope he fails at United and we buy him back in a cut price deal and he immediately reverts to his old Chelsea self.

Their fans on RedCafe are already turning on him and saying that when Rooney is back next week Juan shouldn't be near their first XI.

[DH1988 1,273]

Did he play yesterday?

[the wes 7,212]

I hope he fails at United and we buy him back in a cut price deal and he immediately reverts to his old Chelsea self.

Their fans on RedCafe are already turning on him and saying that when Rooney is back next week Juan shouldn't be near their first XI.

i doubt mourinho would want him back

[Madmax 9,219]

I'm amazed none of the popular football media talks about how shit it's going for him there. £37 mn is a total rip off lol. He needs to get his ass to Spain to start looking like a footballer again.

[Tomo 21,733]

I hope he fails at United and we buy him back in a cut price deal and he immediately reverts to his old Chelsea self.

Their fans on RedCafe are already turning on him and saying that when Rooney is back next week Juan shouldn't be near their first XI.

Signing him back would be a waste of resources.

The AM we have got fit the system more and in terms of the creativity he offers we have already signed an upgrade.

Nice guy but our money should be used on players that will improve this team and take us to the next level, not on sentiment.

[Pizy 18,368]

Signing him back would be a waste of resources.

The AM we have got fit the system more and in terms of the creativity he offers we have already signed an upgrade.

Nice guy but our money should be used on players that will improve this team and take us to the next level, not on sentiment.

I just love the little guy.

[mikeholiday 209]

if im remembering correctly, didier got his yellow for tripping the little magician. the look on mata's face when he saw who tripped him

[MrBlueGuy 1,552]

Does he fit into any top team in the world anymore? Apart from Juve and Bayern where he will need to do virtually 0 defending work because they dominate most of their games every single team now requires their att mid to work hard and defend as well. That includes Real and Barca, who got better players than him anyway.

Even Atletico I don't think he will cut it anymore, not enough intensity for Simeone's team. Maybe Valencia, Sevilla, Spurs...etc are his level at best now. Arsenal at a push maybe but top 10 teams in the world he certainly can't play in anymore.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Watching him score the only goal yesterday, since before he subbed in, playing, scored, and celebrate it individually while point his name on the back of his shirt, I can see clearly he is not a happy player and person anymore. Reminds me the last moment he is here before.

It is very sad for me to see him like that.

[dUMB 189]

Watching him score the only goal yesterday, since before he subbed in, playing, scored, and celebrate it individually while point his name on the back of his shirt, I can see clearly he is not a happy player and person anymore. Reminds me the last moment he is here before.

It is very sad for me to see him like that.

He is a great player, and he doesn't deserve any bad words because he's a player who plays with his heart.

If he drops out starting 11 this season in united i think he should leave somewhere he'll be given respect that he deserves.

And if LVG is smart enough he should see that Mata could be a new Giggs for united, if given chance.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Playing for a team currently in 7th, having manager who doesn't fully trusted you, your team fans generally doesn't like you anymore and want you to leave, playing once a week, no CL football, even mostly starting from the bench, what makes it worse is that sometime playing out of your favourite position, celebrating your goal individually, no International called up.

But checked his account on the bank every week, hey who cares about all that

On serious note #FreeJuan

[DCS1984 28]

It's so sad seeing Mata up there playing for them

Their lack of Champions League Football and 7th place isn't so sad though

From the Man Utd fans, I talk to he's a very popular player but no-one believes he'll be there next season. Can't believe he's only 26 too!

[the wes 7,212]

Mata is happy at Man United and will NOT leave in January

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/537662/Juan-Mata-Transfer-News-Manchester-United-Chelsea

i cant understand why mata wasn't up for fighting back for his place in the chelsea team but hes happy to sit on man utd bench

[didierforever 7,349]

having a great match!!!!

[johnnythefirst 1,076]

Van Gaal is an absolute twat of a man (seriously, he consistently talks about himself in third person during interviews) but he's doing it again. Without even playing good football, Utd will easily get into the CL next year...

That and the fact he got to the WC semi finals with about 3 good players and a bunch of nameless guys playing in the Dutch league. Not a bad coach I guess. ;-)

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

i cant understand why mata wasn't up for fighting back for his place in the chelsea team but hes happy to sit on man utd bench

He was young and ambitious. He had won a world cup, he was getting goals and assists for fun, he had won the Champions and Europa league, and then a Euro on top of that. He believed he was superman. Now HE KNOWS his place.He has been broken. It just took a crap world cup and being taken down a peg by Mourinho to show him this fact.

[Term-X 7,891]

He was young and ambitious. He had won a world cup, he was getting goals and assists for fun, he had won the Champions and Europa league, and then a Euro on top of that. He believed he was superman. Now HE KNOWS his place.He has been broken. It just took a crap world cup and being taken down a peg by Mourinho to show him this fact.

He still has more of a chance at United, even on the bench he knows that. Whereas at Chelsea.. he was never getting back into the squad under Mourinho, there was no place for him regardless of what he did in training.