Juan Mata: Jose Mourinho Forced Me 'to Move from Chelsea To Manchester United'

Juan Mata has said his move from Chelsea to Manchester United was driven by Jose Mourinho - and claims he had "no relationship" with the Portuguese boss.

The Spaniard won the Chelsea Player of the Season award in his first two years at Stamford Bridge, leading the Blues to successive Champions League and Europa League triumphs.

However he struggled to secure regular playing time at Chelsea during the first part of last season, following Mourinho's return to London.

Asked about his exit during an interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais, Mata said: "You never know what life holds for you.

"I had two fantastic seasons at Chelsea, winning titles and being voted the player of the year by both my teammates and the fans ... But he [Mourinho] came and I started to have limited time to play."

Speaking about his relationship with the Portuguese manager, Mata added: "It was not good or bad.

"We had no relationship, there was no dialogue [between us]. I was not happy, but I always gave the most of myself and try to respect my colleagues."

With the World Cup on the horizon Mata didn't think twice when Manchester United approached him to move to Old Trafford.

The Spaniard moved to Old Trafford in a £37.1m deal, becoming the club record's signing.

"Then United came to sign me. I wanted to play the World Cup and I did not think much".

Mourinho recently justified his decision to sell Mata to Manchester United for financial reasons.

"For example, Mata to Man Utd. We are losing a very good player to a direct opponent. Would this have happened 10 years ago? Maybe not" Mourinho said.

"But in the modern football and the new economic reality [for Chelsea], if Man Utd pays you an important amount of money he has to go."