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MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United smashed the clubs transfer record to sign Juan Mata from Chelsea for 37.1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. The Spain midfielder was deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea after losing his place in the team since Jose Mourinhos return as manager last summer. The move, which is the most high-profile yet in Europes January transfer window, will guarantee Mata is back playing regular football ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. It is also a statement of intent from United amid a tough period for new manager David Moyes, whose team is seventh in the Premier League and struggling to qualify for the lucrative Champions League. "United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance I have to be part of the next phase in the clubs history," said the 25-year-old Mata, who was flown to Manchester by helicopter on Saturday so he could undergo his medical examination and agree on personal terms. "Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United." Mata was Chelseas player of the year for the last two seasons but has spent most of the 2013-14 campaign on the substitutes bench, with Mourinho deciding to make Brazil international Oscar his No. 1 playmaker. Mourinho granted Matas request to leave Stamford Bridge in light of Uniteds interest and having already found a virtual replacement in Egypt winger Mohamed Salah, who is close to joining from Swiss team Basel. "I and everyone at Chelsea have massive respect for Juan and his big talent, and when he told us of his wish to move on because he wanted to play more, we did not want to deny him this opportunity," Mourinho said. "We want him to be successful in his career and as well as that, this transfer makes huge financial sense to us at Chelsea." Moyes has made a decisive move in the transfer market after being criticized for his sluggish dealings in the off-season, when United missed out on the clubs primary targets and brought in only one player -- Marouane Fellaini -- in the final minutes of deadline day. Fellaini has so far been a major disappointment and is out injured. Matas arrival will create a buzz around Old Trafford and excite fans who have seen United slip 14 points behind leader Arsenal in the Premier League, be eliminated from the FA Cup at the first hurdle and, most recently, lose to Sunderland in the League Cup semifinals. Last season, United romped to the league title by 11 points under Alex Ferguson. Once Moyes gets strikers Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney back fit, their combination with Mata and talented young winger Adnan Januzaj should ensure they seriously challenge Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton for the fourth and final Champions League spot. United is six points behind fourth-place Liverpool. "Juan is one of the finest playmakers in the game today and its a real pleasure to have secured his signature," Moyes said. Moyes confirmed Mata will make his debut in the league game against Cardiff at Old Trafford on Tuesday, although he may take time to return to top form after being underused at Chelsea in recent months. Mata played 135 times for Chelsea following his move from Spanish team Valencia in 2011. "I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea," Mata said, "but the time has come for a new challenge." Matas transfer fee eclipses the figure United spent on Dimitar Berbatov, who joined for 30.7 million pounds from Tottenham in 2008. Stitched Royals Jerseys . Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday night. Kansas City Royals Gear . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . While coach Doc Rivers high-fived fans and pumped his fist at the crowd, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul quietly congratulated each other. Royals Jerseys China . The goals took Liverpools tally in the Premier League this season to 70, overtaking Manchester City as the top scorers, and left the fourth-place team just four points behind league leader Chelsea. Kansas City Royals Store . Levante, which had lost five straight including a Copa del Rey game last weekend, fell behind at its Ciutat de Valencia stadium when Ionut Sapanura opened the scoring for Elche in the 26th minute.Carlos Brathwaite popped into Sky Studios recently for a stint as an IPL pundit - and we managed to grab the big Barbadian for a quick chat about THAT World T20 over and his love of football. Brathwaite blasted four sixes in succession off Ben Stokes to earn West Indies a dramatic World T20 win over England in early April - and he spoke about that innings in the Sky Sports Zone. Brathwaite talks through hitting the four sixes in a row for West Indies in the World T20 final against England But the 27-year-old also humbly praised the efforts of his team-mates as the Caribbean side won the tournament for the second time, having also lifted the trophy in Sri Lanka in 2012.Brathwaite also opened up about what he took from his IPL experience with Delhi Daredevils and teaming with England and Kent star Sam Billings.Plus, he had plenty to say on Jose Mourinho taking over at his beloved Manchester United, which players he would like to see at Old Trafford next season, and his Euro 2016 tips... Jose Mourinho visits the Manchester Uniteds training complex Hi Carlos - what are your memories of your match-winning performance in Kolkata?I was just focussed on getting us over the line. It was a tremendous team achievement - yes, my four sixes stole the show but we shouldnt forget about Marlon Samuels knock of 85 and a couple of bowling spells from Dwayne Bravo. Throughout the tournament, though, someone stood up when we needed them to. That was more important than having superstars.Can you think of a better sporting finish?A lot of people are ranking it among the best but its hard to judge something I was part of, even though it was obviously memorable. As a Manchester United fan, though, theres another great sporting finish Id love to forget - Sergio Agueros last-minute winner against QPR in 2012, the goal that won Manchester City the league from under our noses! Brathwaite and Marlon Samuels celebrate West Indies World T20 win What did you learn from playing in the IPL?I have definitely grown as a player - learning how to play spin is something I can now take back to the Caribbean and hopefully build a Test career out of. However, I have also grown as a person and learned how to handle the media and people who constantly want photos during your personal time.ddddddddddddHow did your team-mates help you in that regard?I saw how humble JP Duminy and Imran Tahir, as well as Delhi mentor Rahul Dravid, have remained despite all they have achieved in the game - it made me take a step back and appreciate that people are interested in me. You have to give back to them and not treat fame as a burden. It made me take a step back and appreciate that people are interested in me. You have to give back to them and not treat fame as a burden. Carlos Brathwaite on the IPL What are the best and worst things about Billings?Best - his impression of Danny Morrison. Worst - the fact he beats me at Fifa!Are you happy with the appointment of Mourinho at Manchester United?I think Jose will bring back the winning mentality - and lure Zlatan Ibrahimovic. We need our swagger back at Old Trafford and Ibra could be the man to bring it. It will be interesting to see how Mourinho operates off the field and whether our young players get opportunities. That was something - perhaps the only thing - Van Gaal did well. Carlos says Zlatan Ibrahimovic can bring Uniteds swagger back Do you have any reservations?Not really. One thing Jose does do is take the pressure off his players and once he strikes a balance between that and being a little more cordial then he should do okay. If his antics are a by-product of success, though, so be it.Who would you class as your favourite Manchester United player off all time, as well as in the current squad?My favourite of all time is Cristiano Ronaldo but of the current squad Id have to say David de Gea. I also love the way Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial play the United way - every time they get the ball they run, cross, shoot and try to make things happen. David de Gea is Brathwaites favourite current United player Anyone else?Ander Herrera is a complete midfielder and hasnt really had the chances I think he deserves. When he plays we go forward, without him we tend to be a bit sideways. Id love him, Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield next season with Ibra the focal point and Martial and Antoine Griezmann on the wings.Finally, how do you think England will get on in the Euros?The England football team need to take a leaf out of the England cricket teams book - go out there, express yourself and have fun. If they drop the pressure, then their young players will be fine. Ill be supporting Portugal, because of Ronaldo and because I always admired Rui Costa back in the day, but I think France are the most well-balanced team. They have a great chance of winning.Brathwaite is currently playing for West Indies in a one-day Tri-Series in the Caribbean against Australia and South Africa. Watch each game live on Sky Sports. Also See: Tri-Series on Sky Sports Brathwaites batting freedom Windies win World T20 Get Sky Sports ' ' '