BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 14: Juan Mata of Manchester United turns away after scoring the opening goal as Simon Francis of AFC Bournemouth reacts during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Juan Mata, yes Juan Mata scores the first goal of the Jose Mourinho era

By now you already know the relationship between new Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Juan Mata is strained at best. The rockiness culminated last week when Mata was brought on as a sub in last weeks Community Shield and then subbed off. Mourinho claimed the decision was a tactical one and that Mata was in his plans at United, but almost no one was buying that.

Fast forward a week and it almost seemed as if Mourinho was trolling the world’s media when he included Juan Mata in the starting XI for his first Premier League match in charge.

It was Mourinho who got the last laugh though when Mata took advantage of some horrific Bournemouth defending to score the first Premier League goal of Mourinho’s tenure at Old Trafford.

About Pauly Kwestel

Pauly is a Producer for WFAN in New York and the CBS Sports Radio Network. He has been writing about the beautiful game since 2010 and can be followed on twitter @pkwestelWFAN

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