
Football
Share
Published 08:56 22 Jul 2016 BST
Updated 10:39 22 Jul 2016 BST
Explore more on these topics:
So when Mourinho signed on the dotted line with the Red Devils, suggestions were made that fan-favourite Mata would be the first head on the chopping block.
The subject was broached during United's preseason tour of China and Mourinho was quick to rubbish that assertion, insisting that he had nothing to do with the decision to allow Mata to leave Chelsea.
“I sold because he asked for that," Mourinho said, in quotes appearing on ManchesterEveningNews.co.uk.
“Nobody in my previous club wanted to sell or push him. No, it was his decision, he was not the first option, but he was playing every game.
“I never let Juan Mata out of my selection of the 18 but he was on the bench a few times. We had a proposal from a big club like Man United.
“We thought in the club that the proposal was very much acceptable, that it was very good proposal for that period, three years ago.
“In this moment the numbers are going crazy so that numbers that looked very high three years later it looks very cheap but he wanted to leave and my philosophy is I don’t want players that want to leave.
“I want players that want to come and want to stay. I don’t want players that want to leave so we sold Juan to Man United but I think since the first day everything is clear between us.
“There is space for him. He’s a talented player and I don’t promise places to anyone.
“I promise respect and I like him so if he wants to stay and I think he wants – until this moment I don’t have one little sign that he wanted to leave so I think he wants too stay and yes there is space for him and yes I think he can be useful to the club.”
Ireland legend has to calm himself during Arsenal argument with fellow pundit
They were not on the same page….. Kenny Cunningham and Shay Given once again proved themselves as hugely entertaining football pundits, after last night’s Champions League semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid. Following Tuesday’s 5-4 thriller between PSG and Bayern Munich, Cunningham had caused a stir by playing down the quality of the game. And, […]
Football
3h
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA, Rugby – May 1st to 4th
Some huge clashes! Summer is creeping into view, and that means beer gardens and big screens. And once again, the weekend will not disappoint with some huge Premier League fixtures as we reach the last few weeks, there is Leinster and Ulster SFC games, and the Irish provinces featuring in huge European semi-finals. Football Friday […]
Football
4h
Amazing scenes as pub reacts to crazy punch in big Spanish clash
Football