Juan Mata proved spot on over Man Utd's replacement for teammate he "still misses"
Former Manchester United player Juan Mata backed current Red Devils captain Bruno Fernandes to make a big impact at the club shortly after he joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2020
Former Manchester United star Juan Mata is a big fan of Bruno Fernandes, having backed him to fill the void left by Ander Herrera's departure in 2019.
Herrera left United after five seasons to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, having become a fans' favourite at Old Trafford. And Mata, who was good friends with Herrera, praised his football IQ and compared him to Fernandes in a fan Q&A back in April 2020.
At the time, Fernandes was just four months into his United career, having only signed from Sporting Lisbon in January. And the 29-year-old has firmly cemented himself as one of United's key players, having won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award twice and been appointed club captain last July.
"I do miss him (Herrera) on the pitch but also in the dressing room and outside," Mata said at the time. "We were living in the same area. We were seeing each other after training for lunch, dinner, to watch football together, so of course I miss him.
READ MORE: Man Utd transfer news LIVE: Midfield duo eyed, Martial stance on exit, Sancho departure confirmedREAD MORE: Jadon Sancho conducts "latest ever medical" as he apologies to Dortmund staff"He's a very good friend; I'm still in touch with him very often. When you understand football in the same way, I think it's enjoyable to play with someone like him or with someone like Bruno now. You always miss them when you don't play with people like this."
Two years later, Mata compared Fernandes and Herrera again as he claimed they both 'know everything' about football. "Bruno is football sick. Sometimes I tell him, 'You're too heavy, shut up!'," Mata told the Athletic in May 2022.
"With Bruno I speak a lot about football, he knows a lot of players, he knows everything, kind of like Ander Herrera was." Mata left United in September 2022, joining Turkish side Galatasaray where he helped them win the the Super Lig title.
He then made the move to Japanese club Vissel Kobe last year and played a small part in their J1 League title win, before announcing his departure earlier this month. "THANK YOU very much to all my teammates and all the people who are part of @visselkobe for these unique months with you," Mata wrote on Instagram.
"It has been an incredibly interesting experience that ended in the best possible way, making history, winning the league for the first time for our club. I'm really happy to have been part of your family at such an important moment that will be remembered forever!
"I wish you all the very best for the future! Of course, thank you very much to our fans, you are my most special memory of these months, and I will keep your love and respect with me forever. I'm looking forward to continuing enjoying football somewhere else, and hopefully keep winning trophies, let the streak continue! Gracias y VAMOS @visselkobe!"
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