Manchester United star Juan Mata congratulates Chelsea after League Cup win over Tottenham

Manchester United star Juan Mata has sent a congratulation message to his former side Chelsea for their League Cup final 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 1 March.

The Spanish international left Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in January 2013 after falling out of favour with manager Jose Mourinho.

Nevertheless, the Spaniard still has nice memories from his time at West London where he won the Chelsea Player of the Season award in his first two years at the club, helping the Londoners to win the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2011-2012 and the Europe League 2012-2013.

With many close friends like Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta still at the Blues, he has now taken to his weekly blog to congratulate the Blues for their victory over Spurs on Sunday.

"I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Chelsea for winning the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham," Mata wrote. "I have many former team-mates and friends there and I'm happy for them. It was a close game but they were able to make the difference in key moments to win the game."

Meanwhile, Mata has also pointed out his own side faces a crucial month in March in their aspirations to win the FA Cup and secure the Premier League top four to ensure qualification for the Champions League.

"Here in Manchester you still can't say that Spring is coming, but we are already in March and we know we are getting closer to the decisive weeks of the season. We will need to give everything in the next games to get our goals; for a start, the day after tomorrow against Newcastle in the Premier League, and next Monday against Arsenal in the FA Cup. We will also play Tottenham and Liverpool in March, so it's not an exaggeration to describe this month as one of the most demanding ones this season."

Following the defeat against Swansea, the Spaniard was happy for the team reaction to beat Sunderland on Saturday 28 February while urge to keep the momentum in the visit to Newcastle on Wednesday 4 February.

"Having lost at Swansea, it was really important to beat Sunderland last Saturday and get the three points. We remain in the Champions League spots but you just need to have a look at the table to realise how close this race is going to be until the end of the season," he said.

"We are ready for that, although all we think about is trying to win all the games left. Starting this coming Wednesday in St. James' Park, a stadium that brings back some good memories because I scored several goals there."