Mourinho ‘sorry’ he couldn’t make Mata happy at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has lamented the loss of Juan Mata to Manchester United, saying he ‘likes him a lot’ but couldn’t make the Spaniard happy at Chelsea.

Speaking following a 1-0 victory over Stoke in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge, the Blues manager commented on Mata’s move to Old Trafford.

“He’s very classy. He’s a player that stays in the fans’ hearts and with his colleagues. I’ve only been with him six months and I like him a lot, imagine the people that have been with him for three years," the Blues boss said.

"He stays in the club’s history, he won important trophies, people love him. One day he will come here in the Man United shirt and people will show him exactly that.”

The Portuguese coach explained the tactical reasons for Mata’s struggles since he took over the reins at Stamford Bridge, noting that he chose to play Oscar as a number ten.

“He went to Man United because it’s a special club that allows people to be happy. I’m sorry I couldn’t make him happy in this squad, I’m so sad with that, but I build my teams around Oscar playing as a number ten. They’re decisions a manager has to make.”