How many times have I already admitted that we aren't on the level where we used to be in this very same forum? You and a lot of people here are quick to resort on "xxxx fans are so delusional" just because you disagree with them, but can't even articulate your points properly. You can't even get your dates right like with the whole Mata thing, nor are you aware of how well ADM was playing prior to his move with us. Just admit that you're taking the piss and are incredibly biased against United. Because if not, it's you living in the alternate universe.
That defeats the purpose of RCs themselves. You negotiate with the club, but if they don't budge, you pay the RC because they have no choice (if the player wants the move too). That has been the case time and time again from Figo to Higuain. Please cite me examples of the 'many times' that a release clause was lowered.
He wasn't shit, literally because Mourinho never gave him a shot to begin with. If you actually knew what was happening back then, and not relying on transfer figures and dates you Google'd, you'd know that the prevailing notion around was that Jose was mishandling Chelsea's 2 time POTY to prove a point that it's HIS team, and that whoever gets him will have a gem on their hands. A healthy guy in his prime, great locker room presence and who prior to Mourinho, has never been criticized for being lazy. This guy was the PL leader in goals and assists from set pieces and one of the handful of guys in the PL at the time that could run a game from start to finish.
Of course, Jose was proven right in the sense that he ended up winning the PL again before Mata did, but that doesn't mean that Mata didn't deserve the huge price tag given to him. This isn't the fucking Bundesliga.