JOSE MOURINHO HAS been criticised for his decision to take off Juan Mata in yesterday’s Community Shield win, after having previously been brought on as a substitute in the match at Wembley.
Juan Mata was substituted in injury time yesterday. Nick Potts
Nick Potts
Mata was introduced in the 63rd minute of the 2-1 win over Leicester City before then being withdrawn in injury-time of the game, a move which BBC pundit Danny Murphy described as ‘embarrassing’ for the Spanish midfielder.
In January 2014, Mata moved to Old Trafford when Mourinho – the Chelsea boss at the time – sold him for £37.1 million.
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“You don’t do that unless you are trying to send a message,” former England midfielder Murphy told the BBC.
“They have a lot of history at Chelsea and he has embarrassed him in front of his supporters and his family.
Juan Mata is consoled yesterday after being substituted. Nick Potts
Nick Potts
“He is basically saying to him you are not important and he has done it publicly. I can’t see him still being at the club at the end of August.”
'He has embarrassed him in front of his supporters' - criticism of Mourinho's Mata decision
JOSE MOURINHO HAS been criticised for his decision to take off Juan Mata in yesterday’s Community Shield win, after having previously been brought on as a substitute in the match at Wembley.
Mata was introduced in the 63rd minute of the 2-1 win over Leicester City before then being withdrawn in injury-time of the game, a move which BBC pundit Danny Murphy described as ‘embarrassing’ for the Spanish midfielder.
In January 2014, Mata moved to Old Trafford when Mourinho – the Chelsea boss at the time – sold him for £37.1 million.
“You don’t do that unless you are trying to send a message,” former England midfielder Murphy told the BBC.
“They have a lot of history at Chelsea and he has embarrassed him in front of his supporters and his family.
“He is basically saying to him you are not important and he has done it publicly. I can’t see him still being at the club at the end of August.”
Mourinho later explained the tactical thinking behind his decision.
“The rules allow six changes, I had made five and I wanted to stop the game. I think he played very well. He gave me exactly what I needed.
“We want to win. Everyone is happy in the end.”
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