​Manchester United's Spanish playmaker Juan Mata has lifted the lid on his relationship with United and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.





After winning Player of the Year two years in a row during his time at Stamford Bridge, Mata was rather unceremoniously shown the door when Mourinho took over Chelsea for the second time.

Mata then headed for Old Trafford, bought by then-United boss David Moyes, for a then-club record fee of £37m, where he soon established himself as a key player for the Red Devils.





After 18 months of relative stability in Manchester, many people thought Mata would be forced out once again, when Mourinho returned to haunt the Spaniard again, when he took over from Louis van Gaal.

Thankfully, Mourinho seemed to understand that Mata is, in fact, quite a good player, and didn't seek to instantly cast him out of his squad as he did in the past, and now the ​Manchester Evening News reports that Mata has spoken about his relationship with the Portuguese manager, dismissing any claims of bad blood between the two men:

Juan Mata's career since 2011:



190 league games

45 league goals

43 league assists

7 trophies



From wonderkid to world beater.  pic.twitter.com/8IyJCvIyBI — Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 28, 2017

"I don’t remember exactly what he said. Maybe it was a joke about how different the weather is here from London! It was something like that. I'm sure it was", said Mata ahead of United's Europa League final against Ajax.





“It was a normal approach. Obviously we had so many conversations during the season, we had good moments and good conversations.





“But we have a good relationship and I will always say that because nothing ever happened, we didn’t have an argument or anything like that. He is a normal coach.





“He is the same and he hasn’t changed. The circumstances have changed, the club, with obviously a different squad, but that's it.





“As you have seen, there are no problems with the manager. So I think people will think less about these things this summer.”





United's season has been a divisive one, as they stand on the brink of winning two trophies, and securing Champions League football next season, despite underwhelming many fans during their Premier League campaign - drawing a staggering 15 matches.

Fewest wins by Manchester United in a PL season:



17* in 2016/17

19 in 2015/16

19 in 2013/14

20 in 2014/15



[Squawka] #MUFC — Man Utd Updates (@Utd__Updates) May 18, 2017

“Well, we all hope that. He hates to lose - and that is a fact,” added the 29-year-old, ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final against a youthful, vibrant Ajax side.





Despite the threat that the Dutch side carry, Mourinho has never lost in the final of a European competition, and the Red Devils are still heavily fancied to win on Wednesday night.

Mata echoed this sentiment, confident of his side's ability, but also praising Mourinho for the winning mentality he has brought to United throughout their Europa League run.





"I’m confident that sooner or later we can deliver that and the fans will be really, really happy again and hopefully we can start from this final on Wednesday.





“Everyone has their own way, everyone has their own personality and their own ways of thinking about football, the way to play and win. No-one plays football to lose.





"You can find a way or another way, then it can be a different approach and a different style, but the ultimate aim is to win obviously."

Which of these relegated sides will be the first to seal promotion back to the EPL? Hull City Sunderland Middlesbrough Their days in the EPL are over & they won't be back any time soon!



