'I can tell you' - Juan Mata tells Manchester United to make Bruno Fernandes decision

Juan Mata believes Bruno Fernandes is the perfect player for Manchester United to build the "culture of the club" around.

Fernandes has been impressive in recent weeks, scoring six times in his last five Premier League outings, helping drag Erik ten Hag's side over the line in a number of matches. While the ability of the Portugal international cannot be questioned, plenty of people have pondered whether the 29-year-old represents a suitable captain figure for the club.

Fernandes took over this responsibility from Harry Maguire in July 2023 and Mata is of the view the midfielder's high standards and ability to influence others makes him the perfect candidate. "I can tell you that for me, there is a great leader in there right now, which is the captain, Bruno" Mata told ESPN+.

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"I should tell all young players to look up to him. 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 in midweek], but the consistency within the years that he's been playing for the club is just incredible.

"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] Hojlund, to look up to him the way he trains, the way he behaves.

"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."

Another player who continues to divide opinion is Marcus Rashford, with some supporters believing the forward's time at the club may be up. Offering his take on the situation regarding Rashford, Mata added: "We all know his [Rashford's] potential and he knows himself how good he can be when he finds this consistency in his mind. And of course if he's not injured, which is happening often with him at the moment.

"So I think the club knows that they have a great player in there. He's shown it in the past. I think he's motivated also for the Euros and to show his quality to the country and hopefully he can perform well because Man United with him at his top level is also a different team. Like when Bruno arrived and he was winning games for us."