Jose Mourinho comments suggest Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has made a big mistake

Juan Mata’s departure saw countless Manchester United fans pay tribute to his demeanour off the pitch. What isn’t spoken about as much is his sheer determination on it.

The former Spain international’s time at Old Trafford will come to an end this summer after United confirmed his departure. It brings an end to an eight-and-a-half-year association with the club, with the 34-year-old having arrived during David Moyes’ short time as manager.

While there is no doubting Mata’s technical ability, he has found himself having to defy his doubters at various points during his time at United. Even in his final year with the club, when he appeared to be well down the pecking order, he managed to earn a place back in the side and show his worth during the final weeks of the season.

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That determination has never been more evident than during Jose Mourinho’s time in charge at Old Trafford. It was due to the Portuguese manager that Mata found himself at United in the first place, with Mourinho taking the surprise decision to let him go while at Chelsea.

It was a decision that took everyone by surprise. Mata had been the Blues’ standout player over the previous couple of years, but he clearly didn’t fit in with Mourinho’s methods. When the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss made his way to Old Trafford, many predicted it would sound the death knell for Mata’s time at the club. But the Spaniard dug in and even managed to change Mourinho’s opinion of him.

“Mata is very important. He is another one, big story when I arrived one-and-a-half-years ago – ‘Mata in trouble, in trouble, in trouble’,” Mourinho said back in 2018.

“Now he’s getting