Juan Mata is the star of Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams... so, why did Chelsea and Jose Mourinho ever let him leave?

• Juan Mata got a goal and an assist against Wolfsburg on Wednesday night
• The Spaniard has become a fans' favourite since joining the club in 2014
• Jose Mourinho may live to regret his decision to sell him to a rival club
• Mata's tricks light up Old Trafford, while he is also friendly and polite
• READ: Anthony Martial's success at Manchester United comes as no surprise to former colleagues at Monaco 

By Mike Keegan For Mailonline

Published: 05:47 EST, 1 October 2015 | Updated: 12:27 EST, 1 October 2015

Sporting a beard and standing at 5ft 7ins, you would imagine Juan Mata does not stand out when he heads to Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter, the city's home for hirsute hipsters.

The humble Spaniard, with a keen eye for culture, has posted numerous pictures of himself at the area's landmarks and would appear to have done so unmolested by the selfie-craving hordes.

And yet when he steps out onto the turf at Old Trafford all eyes are on him, and rightly so.

Juan Mata scores from the penalty spot in Manchester United's 2-1 win against Wolfsburg on Wednesday

Former Chelsea star Mata points to the sky as he celebrates his equalising goal against the German side

Mata sets up Chris Smalling's winning goal against Wolfsburg with a delightful flick of his left boot

Smalling slides to poke Mata's pass into the back of Diego Benaglio's net in the 53rd minute at Old Trafford

Time seems to slow when Mata gets the ball. An outrageous dink here, a flicked pass there – he is the star turn at the Theatre of Dreams.

He is also the man every Manchester United-supporting dad would want to marry his daughter.

Friendly, polite – he even ends his blogs with 'hugs' – Mata appears to be perfect son-in-law material.

And as another week passes with another sublime assist, the union between the gifted 27-year-old and his employers grows ever stronger.

What, then, was Jose Mourinho thinking when he called time on his relationship with Chelsea?

Mata is just what is needed at Stamford Bridge in these turbulent times down the King's Road.

Calm, measured and consistent. A player who keeps his head down and gets on with his business regardless of the noise.

Even his departure from West London was handled with dignity.

Mata is an intelligent man. It did not take long for him to realise he may not feature in Mourinho's plans and, following talks with Roman Abramovich in the summer of 2013, it was agreed he could leave in the next window for a set fee.

Mata gets away from Wolfsburg's Maximilian Arnold during Wednesday's Champions League fixture

Mata has become a favourite among Manchester United fans since arriving at the club in January 2014

Aside from one mini-tantrum when substituted there was little dummy spitting as Mata got on with it, no doubt hoping he could change the stubborn Portuguese's mind.

He could not, and after some skilful manoeuvring by United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward who resisted Chelsea attempts to try and add Wayne Rooney to the deal, Mata was flying into Carrington in a helicopter.

His start at Old Trafford coincided with the end of David Moyes's short stint. There were flashes of genius but a lack of pace around Mata as United limped to a seventh place finish, leaving many to believe getting £37m was another Mourinho master-stroke.

Jose Mourinho was unimpressed by Mata's performances and allowed him to leave Chelsea for £37.1million

Mata applauds the home fans at Old Trafford after helping United come from behind to beat Wolfsburg

That opinion was furthered last season when a Mata-less Chelsea marched to the Premier League title.

Many in the Stamford Bridge stands, however, held onto the belief that the fans' favourite should not have been allowed to go, even less so to a rival - that the move may come back to bite Mourinho on the backside.

While it may be early in the season this looks like it could be the year when that happens.

The Mata assist machine is in full flow.

He has played a part in nine goals in just 12 matches as a suddenly-fluent United find themselves at the top of the table.

If The Samaritans are recruiting they could do worse than get Mata on the phones for an hour.

Maybe he would get a call from Frustrated of Chelsea.

Hugs, Jose.

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