Juan Mata has revealed he never feared for his future at Manchester United following the appointment of Jose Mourinho despite the manner of his exit from Chelsea in 2014.
The Portuguese coach oversaw the £37.1m sale of Mata to United during his time in charge of Chelsea even though the Spain international had been the Blues' player of the year for the two full seasons he was at the club.
Mourinho was subsequently hired by the Red Devils in May and, despite having been sold by the 53-year-old two years previously, Mata insists he was confident there would not be a repeat of the same saga this summer because the pair enjoy a good relationship.
"The manager didn't sit down with me, no," Mata said. "I do feel an important part of this team. Since I came to Manchester United, we had ups and downs but I always felt an important player under any manager, and I feel important now. But we didn't have any conversations.
In Pictures | Chelsea vs Manchester United | 23/10/2016
"It is difficult to control everything that goes out and your friends and family are ringing to know what is going on but I always told them the same thing: 'Listen, I am the one that knows what is going on, and I know that nothing is going on.'
"When the manager came in, I was always thinking the same as I always have - I am going to give my best, I believe in myself and I think this can work out.
"It is a professional relationship [I have with Mourinho]. That is it. That is why, when so many things were said about was going to happen when the new manager arrive, in my mind I had it clear."
