Mourinho confirms Mata has had Medical at United

Jose Mourinho has admitted Chelsea were powerless to stand in Juan Mata's way when the opportunity to move to Manchester United arose.

The Spaniard has undergone a medical at Old Trafford and will be ready for selection when David Moyes' side face Cardiff City on Tuesday. 

Mata is primed to move to the Reds for £37million, and judging by Mourinho's mood the split between the club and player was amicable. 

'Juan travelled and had a medical at United. Things are going in a good direction so sooner rather than later things will be finalised,' Mourinho said.

'I still think he could be important for us - he is a fantastic player. Despite not playing a lot with us, especially in the last period, he could (have been) important. 

'Nobody here is jumping because Juan is leaving. After that, it’s the way you look at things. Would Chelsea supporters be happy if we stop a fantastic person they all like a lot from going and say you can only go if you go to Russia or China or France or Portugal? I don’t know if Chelsea supporters would be happy because we are an open club. We don’t have an old-fashioned way to look at things.

'But Juan had a fantastic opportunity. Another big club wants him in a country where he loves to be. We had an offer which was the right offer a player of his quality.

'The player deserves respect and to be happy - to play where he wants.

To say you cannot go to United because they refused to sell us Wayne Rooney isn't fair to Juan. They decide not to sell, their decision.'

Chelsea are due to make over £10million profit on Mata, who they signed from Valencia three years ago.

The club are clearly mindful of that in light of financial rules, with Mourinho adding: 'It allows us to bring in another player, because we need one, and still have a fantastic profit. The two deals with Juan and Kevin De Bryune we put ourselves in a good Financial Fair Play position.

'I asked him "are you really happy to go?" and he said yes. We could feel mixed emotions. We are happy that he is going to a fantastic situation but are upset too. I think it was the same for him. 

'If he goes, he was fantastic for Chelsea and Chelsea was fantastic for him. 

'He tried to give everything but it got to a point where the team were winning games consecutively and he wasn't playing.'