Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that out-of-favour attacking midfielder Juan Mata is happy despite the controversial substitute incident in the Community Shield against Premier League champions Leicester City.
Despite winning the game 2-1, Mata was brought on and then off just half an hour later in a bizarre decision that reportedly angered the Spanish international.
TalkSport claimed that Mata handed in his transfer request after the incident in what was described as being the final straw.
Mourinho denied claims that Mata was unhappy with the decision in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bournemouth game.
“He was very happy that he was my first choice to come on to the pitch in a difficult moment of the game for us after we conceded a goal,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by the Express.
“At that moment Mata was the first player to be called up to play and played 25 minutes.
“He was really happy with his contribution.”
Turkish giants Fenerbahce are reported to be interested in Mata according to TalkSport who claim the 28-year-old is valued as being worth £20 million.
Mata and Mourinho have a frosty relationship after the Portuguese manager got rid of him during his time in charge of Chelsea – ironically he was sold to United.
Fenerbahce are in pursuit of a new attacking midfielder after parting ways with Diego Ribas and Luis Nani over the summer transfer window.
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