Many football fans feared for Juan Mata when, on May 27, 2016, Jose Mourinho was appointed Manchester United.

It was Mourinho, of course, who sold Mata to the Red Devils while he was at Chelsea and it was easy to imagine a similar scenario playing out at Old Trafford.

But, one-and-a-half years on from Mourinho’s arrival in Manchester, and Mata remains a key part of the Portuguese’s plans.

He’s played in 21 Premier League matches this season, still receiving minutes despite the arrival of Nemanja Matic in the summer and the impressive form of Jesse Lingard.

Mata has proven to be a fine servant at Man United and he’s become a fan favourite, too, due to his charity work off the pitch.

The Spaniard recently signed a one-year contract extension, ensuring he’ll be around as Man United attempt to knock Manchester City off their pedestal.

Mata raised concerns when Mourinho arrived

In the aftermath of Mourinho’s arrival, Mata never publicly complained; he simply got on with it and set about proving that he could work with the former Porto and Real Madrid manager.

That is the 29-year-old’s character.

However, according to ESPN, Mata privately voiced his concerns when it became clear that Mourinho would be arriving at Man United, and it needed a conversation with the 55-year-old to put his worries to rest.

So the former Valencia player, while he was never going to publicly admit it, did have his doubts when Man United made the decision to replace Louis van Gaal with Mourinho.

Mata opened up about his relationship with Mourinho and his Chelsea exit in 2017, insisting he never had a problem with his manager.

“You know, sometimes in life and football as well, changes comes. You have to embrace it," Mata said, per the Mirror.

"When Jose came along, I wasn't playing lots.

"I had the chance to go to another great club and it was a good offer for Chelsea as well."

When asked why he thought Mourinho had sold him, Mata replied: “I think it was a football reason, style, something like this.

"But no, we didn't have a personal problem. We are working together now and it is fine."