Juan Mata has dismissed suggestions that he and Jose Mourinho endure a difficult working relationship.
The 28-year-old was sold to Manchester United in 2014 while Jose Mourinho was manager of Chelsea.
However the Spaniard has played an integral part in Manchester United’s start to the season under Mourinho, scoring once and registering two assists in his four Premier League appearances.
The No. 10 was instrumental in
Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Leicester City last Saturday , playing in his favourite number ten role instead of captain Wayne Rooney who was dropped to the bench.
“My relationship with Mourinho has never been bad,” Mata told Spanish radio station Cope.
“Many lies were told about me and Mourinho when he arrived at the club this summer and it bothered me that every day I had to read and listen to rumours that weren’t true, with him I’m fine.
“You read a lot of comments on Facebook and Twitter, but they just make you laugh.”
Now in his third season at the club, Mata has revealed his title ambitions at Manchester United.
“I really want to lift titles at Manchester United, the Premier League is a trophy I have never won but I believe we can do it with this group,” Mata said.
Speaking before guiding Manchester United to a 1-0 win in the Europa League, Mourinho maintained he did not decide to sell Mata while at Chelsea.
“I didn’t sell him because my job is not to buy and sell,” he said.
“My job is to coach and my job is to work on the pitch. My job is to advise my boards on the transfer policy. I don’t buy and I don’t sell and I never did.
Mourinho hailed the Spaniard’s impact at Old Trafford so far this season.
“The football we want to play here is different. We are in the beginning of that process. I think Mata is very adept to do that with his qualities.”
“We need players with these qualities. He has found a very good natural habitat.”
Manchester United face Stoke at Old Trafford on Sunday with the home side sixth in the Premier League in twelve points.
