Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has contradicted reports midfielder Juan Mata is poised to quit the club.

Speculation regarding the Spaniard’s future at the club came to a height following the midfielder’s withdrawal from the field in the Red Devils’ clash against Leicester City last week, despite Mata having himself come on as a substitute.

But following Mata’s start for the side in a reassuring Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, Mourinho has moved to quash rumours that the player would be sold. Mourinho had infamously parted ways with the player back in 2014 when he was in charge of Chelsea.

‘One thing is the stories people write. The other thing is the reality,’ Mourinho told Sky Sports. ‘Seeing what happened in our previous club, people thought he had no future. It is completely different.’

Mourinho insisted he has full faith in the player.

‘I trust him. Every time he plays, I know what he can give and I know what he cannot give. He has a lot to give.

‘We have a very good group with lots of options. It is difficult to say that this player is more important than this player,’ Mourinho concluded.

Mata, who scored United’s opening Premier League goal of the season against Bournemouth, has featured in both of United’s two competitive matches so far this season.