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In Mata's footsteps: Five players Matic follows by moving between Chelsea and Manchester United

Jose Mourinho has completed a successful raid on his old club by signing Nemanja Matic from Chelsea in a reported £40million deal.

The Serbia international is the second player to leave Stamford Bridge for Manchester United in the last three years, with Mourinho having sold Juan Mata to the Red Devils in January 2014.

 

However, after failing to help the Blues avoid relegation in 1979, 'Butch' was signed by United for £825,000 and won the FA Cup in his fourth season at Old Trafford.

 

The Wales international cost £1.5million but justified that price tag by helping to fire United to eight major trophies in seven years, including two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

Ferguson opted for something of a squad overhaul in 1995 and Hughes was allowed to depart for Chelsea, with whom he won the FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in a three-year spell.

 

 

Signed for a club-record £28.1million from Lazio in 2001, Juan Sebastian Veron was tipped to add more star power to an already formidable Manchester United midfield.

Instead, the Argentine struggled to settle and, after winning the Premier League in 2002-03, he was allowed to join Chelsea – recently bought by Roman Abramovich – for £15m.

 

Soon after taking over at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho claimed that he never really sold Juan Mata while he was Chelsea boss, instead stressing that it was entirely the player's decision.

Mata had found first-team football restricted after Mourinho's return from Real Madrid and he accepted the chance to sign for David Moyes in January 2014 in a £37.1million deal.