According to the Mirror, new Manchester United signing Juan Mata was nearly pushed out of his move to Old Trafford, after reports suggest the Red Devils declined an offer by Chelsea to buy their star striker Wayne Rooney in the summer, resulting in a frustrated group of Blues officials.

Mata completed his £37.1 million move to United last Friday, already rewriting the history books as the club’s most expensive signing. David Moyes’ men had been struggling to compete with the top four in the first half of the campaign, and the supporters were beginning to question the ambition of the club’s owners and manager. Without Rooney and Robin van Persie, the squad have failed to live up to their usual standards, much to the frustration of the United faithful. In Mata, they have found a left footed attacking midfielder who will help with his vision and creativity.

Chelsea have been seeking the signature of Rooney for the past while, having seen a rift in the relationship between Sir Alex Ferguson and the England international. With Moyes taking charge, Roman Abramovich again knocked on the door, only for their bid to be rejected. The Chelsea officials are disgruntled at United’s firm stance against a potential move but it does now look as though Rooney will stay at United with a 5 year deal reportedly being mooted which will pay Rooney big bucks.

In the end however, United were the only club to successfully meet Chelsea’s valuation as Mourinho after securing Matic and Salah, generously gave Mata the chance to play all the time in this World Cup year by selling him to United. Moyes has vowed to sign many more of the Spaniard’s standard, in an attempt to strengthen the current United squad.