Goodbye Mata - did it make sense?

Manchester United announced last night that Juan Mata had completed a record £37.1 million move.

It is a disappointing end to his Chelsea career, and many fans will feel bitter despite his heartfelt open letter on his blog One Hour Behind. Not for leaving Chelsea - rather leaving to perhaps our most significant rivals through the last decade.

In terms of finance, the deal is successful. We make nearly £15 million profit on a player who played a bit-part role this season, and struggled to make an impact. This also represents our biggest ever fee for an outgoing transfer. Mourinho himself talked about the need for financial prudence in an age of Financial Fair Play, declaring that "We now sell at £20 million and buy at £5 million".

Having announced losses of £45 million in the last season, this comes as a welcome push back onto the right track.

Despite the loss of our two-time Player of the Year, Mourinho's vision for the team has not changed, and is arguably clearer than ever. When it comes down to it, the early press claims that "Mata is not a Mourinho player" were - somewhat regrettably - correct; he isn't direct, powerful and the gritty defensive work doesn't come naturally to him. Using Mourinho's jigsaw image, it was like trying to squeeze a corner piece into the middle of the picture.

It could even be considered a positive that we are one step closer to completing a squad of players that fit with how Mourinho wants us to play. It worked out alright last time.

However, this was a transfer that was more than simple numbers and names on a team sheet. Mata had endeared himself to the Chelsea crowd from his debut goal against Norwich. His personality was Zola-esque: you would be hard-pressed to find an opposition fan who disliked our former number 10.

It is somewhat of a strange move as far as United are concerned however, as on paper Mata doesn't fit into their team. He and Rooney both operate in the same position, which could even help Chelsea if a bid for the United star is renewed in the summer. Considerations must also be given with regard to Mourinho's strategy. Whilst we have strengthened a rival (albeit not a rival this campaign) Man United's remaining fixture list for the season do not see them come up against us again (unless we are fatefully drawn against each other in Champion's League, in which case Mata is cup-tied). They do however play our title contenders, and if Mata helps United take points of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City we have something else to thank him for.

Have an opinion? Leave a comment or tweet me @crunchingcelery