Juan Mata reveals about meeting David Moyes and his departure in his new book. He said he felt sorry for Moyes after his brief spell at Old Trafford. Mata on meeting Moyes and his departure.
Mata tells the inside story of life at Manchester United, as well as reliving his childhood in his new book:
Suddenly a footballer: My Story
Juan Mata on meeting Moyes and his departure:
“The first time I met David was seconds after coming out of a helicopter, as this is how I arrived at Manchester United’s AON Training Complex. Pretty cool, I know. Bond-style. “He was waiting for us to land and welcomed me and my family with a big smile and these words: ‘Welcome to a fantastic club, a massive club. The biggest club there is.
“Then he took us to his office and we talked. ‘Juan, I know what type of player you are, I know what you can bring to the team. I need a player like you who can link the play.’ “When I arrived, late January, the campaign was already halfway gone and things were not going too well. We were seventh in the league. Results were not materialising and the atmosphere was not ideal. “A few months later, after some more disappointing games, the club decided to part with Moyes and chose Ryan Giggs to look after the first team until the end of the season. The Moyes era had been much, much shorter than expected.”
Mata explains how Moyes kept his dignity and pride intact right to the very end of his 10-month stay.
“Even at his farewell, he showed integrity and said goodbye to us in a very classy way, shaking all our hands and looking us all in the eye, wishing us good luck for the future,” Mata writes. “I made sure to thank him for bringing me here and wished him all the best. “Again, I felt sorry for the man who was leaving, feeling partly responsible as every player does when a decision like this is made.”
Moyes signed Mata in January 2014 for £37.1 million.
Since then, Mata has played for three different managers at United, winning several trophies. The Spaniard has since made 225 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 45 goals, and recording 37 assists. He has played all 6 games for United in the league this season.
