AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester United - Mourinho insisting Mata is not unhappy

Posted Sunday, August 14, 2016 by PA

Manager Jose Mourinho heads to Bournemouth for Manchester United’s Premier League opener insisting Juan Mata is not unhappy at his treatment during the Community Shield.

The Spanish playmaker was substituted in the Wembley match, after coming from the bench himself.

Mourinho deemed the Spaniard surplus to requirements at Chelsea, selling him to United.

The pair's relationship was again in the spotlight after United's 2-1 win over Leicester at Wembley, where Mourinho sent Mata on in the 63rd minute only to withdraw him in injury time - a rarity in top-level football and a blow to the ego for the player involved.

The new Red Devils boss explained afterwards it was merely Mata's size - and the expectation of Leicester playing long balls in the closing stages - that dictated the decision and says there is no problem between the pair.

"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 said, on the eve of his first Premier League match in charge of United.

"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."

Mourinho went on to suggest that if anyone had cause to be disgruntled it was summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was Mata's replacement.

"The one that was not happy was Mkhitaryan because he came on for one minute and didn't touch the ball," said Mourinho.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes the experience his side gathered in their first season in the Premier League will help them when they face United.

The Cherries lost 3-1 to United at Old Trafford on the last day of the 2015-16 season - but Howe believes his side are up to the challenge.

He said: "I think it is really important we are not in awe (of big name players), we are not too stand-offish.

"We have to respect our opponent but once we go into the match, they are any other player and you treat them as such.

"I think you could pick any of the United team as a threat, even their full-backs, so we are well aware of the test we have and hopefully we will give as good as we get.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for his Premier League debut for United, and Howe said: “He is a great talent, it is great to see him here - but from our perspective we don't want to be in awe of him, we want to keep him quiet."

Bournemouth beat the Red Devils 2-1 at home last season, which the Cherries boss has previously described as "one of the highlights of the season".