Mourinho confirms Mata to join Man Utd

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed midfielder Juan Mata is set to join Manchester United, after the clubs agreed on a £37m fee on Thursday.

Mourinho said: "Things are going in a good direction. We have allowed Juan to travel and have the medical.

"The player deserves respect and to play and because the offer is right, we allowed him to negotiate."

The 25-year-old Spain international is set to arrive in Manchester on Friday to have his medical.

Meanwhile, Mourinho also revealed that Basel midfielder Mohamed Salah will join Chelsea subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Mata failed to command a regular starting place at Chelsea under Mourinho, who last summer returned to Stamford Bridge to start a second spell in charge.

The Spanish midfielder, who has won 32 caps, said goodbye to team-mates and staff at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Wednesday.

United denied having made a bid for the playmaker, but it is understood they have made an offer through intermediaries working on the deal.

ourinho added: "I asked him when the offer came whether he really was happy to go and he said 'yes, I am really happy to go'. After that we could feel mixed emotions.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for him. Another big club wants him in the country he want to stay in, has made the right offer for him, so, although lots of clubs feel you should not sell to rivals, we are different."

On Tuesday, Chelsea insisted that Mata, who had been voted the club's player of the year two seasons in a row, was not for sale.

But the player, who was part of the Spain squad which won the World Cup in 2010 and European Championship in 2012, has been substituted in nine of his 13 Premier League appearances for the Blues this season

Mourinho added: "I think this club is a special club and it cares for people. It is very respectful of its players and especially those who wrote history and Juan is one of these.

"He was fantastic for Chelsea and Chelsea was fantastic for him. We are not afraid he is going there to do very well. We want him to go there and be happy."