Former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata insists the club needs to build culture around captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes was appointed captain of Manchester United by Erik ten Hag last summer and despite the club's chaotic form, the midfielder has been a well-known leader on the pitch ever since.
The 29-year-old has been particularly inspiring of late, contributing an impressive nine goals in all of his last six matches, including three in last weekend's 4-2 win over Sheffield United, a game in which he played despite a broken hand.
Speaking to ESPN, former Manchester United star Juan Mata insisted the Red Devils need to rebuild around their inspiring captain Bruno Fernandes: "I can tell you that for me there is a great leader right now and that's captain Bruno Bruno,' Mata said. "
'I should tell all the young players to respect him. I can't tell you how important he is to the club, not only because of everything he's done in the last few games, scoring two goals and winning the game (against Sheffield United), but also because the consistency he's shown in the years he's been with the club has been incredible. ”。
'He's a top player, but as a man he's even better. So for me, the culture of the club should be built around him. He is a good role model for all the new generation of players, the players who are now playing for the team, [Alejandro Garnacho], [Kobe] Manu, [Rasmus] Hojlund, to respect the way he trains and behaves. ”。
'For me, he's always there for the team. He could have played better or worse, but he was always there with the right attitude. For me, that's what it means to be a Manchester United player. Fernandes hopes he can lift his first trophy as Manchester United captain at the end of the 2023/24 season, when the club face local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.