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Manchester United's Mourinho insists Mata is NOT unhappy

Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho sent Juan Mata on then subbed him off against Leicester at Wembley in the Community Shield.

Juan Mata with manager Jose Mourinho.

Juan Mata is not unhappy at his treatment during the Community Shield, according to Jose Mourinho.

The Manchester United manager sent the Spaniard on from the bench at Wembley before substituting him just before the end of the win over Leicester.

Mata appeared angered by the move which followed speculation that Mourinho could offload him after previously selling him to United from Chelsea.

The new Reds boss explained it was Mata's size - as United prepared for some Leicester long balls in the closing stages - that prompted the decision.

And Mourinho has claimed the midfielder was not upset by the move - despite seeming so on the day.

"He was very happy that he was my first choice to come on to the pitch in a difficult moment of the game for us after we conceded a goal," he said ahead of United's Premier League opener at Bournemouth.

"At that moment Mata was the first player to be called up to play and played 25 minutes. He was really happy with his contribution."

Mourinho went on to suggest that if anyone had cause to be disgruntled it was Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mata's late replacement.

"The one that was not happy was Mkhitaryan because he came on for one minute and didn't touch the ball," said Mourinho.

"The one who was upset was Mkhitaryan. Mata was very happy."

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