The Manchester United midfielder says he feels loved working under Jose Mourinho.
Juan Mata has revealed that he has never discussed a possible Manchester United exit with Jose Mourinho.
The Spain international was tipped to leave the Red Devils in the summer following Mourinho’s appointment as Louis van Gaal’s successor at Old Trafford.
The new Manchester United manager sold Mata to the 20-time English champions in a £37.1m deal from Chelsea in 2013 during the Portuguese coach’s second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.
However, the 28-year-old has been a regular in Mourinho’s first-team and has scored two goals in eight Premier League appearances in a difficult 2016-17 season for the Red Devils so far.
Speaking to talk SPORT about his future at Manchester United, Mata insisted that he is “feeling loved” working under Mourinho despite their past at Chelsea.
“Obviously people want to know what is happening inside football or try to imagine what is happening inside but most of the time what happens inside is more normal than people think.
“Sometimes it is not even a conversation. It is training and training and training, playing and speaking through football, speaking through the ball, and I like that.
“When you are outside and you try to know what is going on your mind is endless.
“I don’t know what he Mourinho thought, but I did what I always did. Not just here in Manchester but during my career, and all footballers’ careers, there are always rumours and you have to do your job. I did mine and I am trying to do mine the best I can.
“I was and am very happy in the team. I feel important in the team and that is it. I feel loved from the fans and the rest is speculation.”
Manchester United are in sixth place in the Premier League table and eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Red Devils will host bitter rivals Arsenal in their next top-flight fixture at Old Trafford on Saturday 19 November.
More games: friv
