The 25-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with the reigning Premier League champions to bring an end to a trophy-laden two and a half year spell with the Blues. The deal saw the Red Devils break their club-record fee as a £37.1 million fee paid to the Blues easily eclipsed the £30.75 they had paid to Tottenham for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.

The signing represents a major coup for David Moyes as he had been unable to land his top transfer targets last summer. Also, Mata has been Chelsea’s Player of the Season for the past two campaigns which makes United’s acquisition of the playmaker all the more impressive.

According to the Daily Star, Mata has now revealed the real reasons why he had to depart west London in favour of Manchester. Although he had planned to stay for a long time at Chelsea, circumstances dictated a move to a rival for the Spain international.

He said, “Before last summer, my intention was to stay here for a long time; as long as the club wanted me to, and to keep winning trophies for Chelsea. This is how happy I was in the club and in the city. However, as you all know, things changed after the pre-season.”

He added, “From feeling like an important player, I started to experience some difficult situations and I felt unable to help the team to the extent that I wanted and was used to. Obviously, I fully respect the circumstances. I hope you know and feel that I have always given everything. In every game, in every training session, without exception.”