"I cannot tell you how important he is for the club" - Juan Mata heaps praises on 29-year-old Manchester United star
Juan Mata has heaped praise on Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, following the 29-year-old's display against Sheffield United on April 24.
Fernandes has been in remarkable form for the Red Devils, even while they have had a rather turbulent season. Erik ten Hag's men are looking to get into the top four in the Premier League, and much of their good aspects have come from the Portuguese captain. Fernandes has had 17 goal contributions (10G, 7A) in 32 Premier League games this season.
Even his recent form has been beyond remarkable across all competitions. Fernandes has scored seven goals and provided two assists in merely five games, which exceeds expectations for the struggling Red Devils.
Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata spoke about Fernandes, stressing his importance to the club's youth and culture. Mata told ESPN:
"I can tell you that for me, there is a great leader in there right now, which is the captain, Bruno. I should tell to all young players to look up to him."
The former Red Devils man added:
"I cannot tell you how important he is for the club and not only because of what he's done in the last games, scoring two goals and winning the game [against Sheffield United], but his consistency within the years that he's been playing for the club is just incredible."
Mata continued, pushing the Red Devils to build the club's culture around their captain:
"He's a top, top player, but he's even better as a person. So for me, the culture of the club should be built around him. He's a great example for all the new generation, the players that are playing now for the team, [Alejandro] Garnacho, [Kobbie] Mainoo, [Rasmus] Højlund, to look up to him the way he trains, the way he behaves."
Mata concluded:
"For me, he's the one that is always there for the team. He can play better or worse, but he's always there with the right attitude. And for me, that's what being a Manchester United player is."
Fernandes has contributed 79 goals and 64 assists in 229 games for Manchester United since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2021.
Bruno Fernandes impresses for Manchester United against Sheffield
The Red Devils seemed ready to slump against Premier League relegation candidates Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 25. The first 50 minutes of the game looked as though everything would end with a point to each side, or worst case scenario, a loss to United.
Erik ten Hag's men seemed unable to keep their defense in check, and they were losing 2-1 to Sheffield, but Bruno Fernandes turned up. He equalized from the penalty spot in the 61st minute. He then sent a powerful shot from distance from his weaker left foot to put Manchester United ahead with 81 minutes on the clock.
His remarkable display came to a head with his perfect assist for Rasmus Hojlund to add another late goal to secure a 4-2 win for his side.
Manchester United are sixth in the league table, 13 points behind Aston Villa (4th) with a game in hand. They will host Burnley (19th) next on Saturday, April 27.