Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in Manchester United’s first meeting with Leeds United this season.
Now, the playmaker is preparing for the return fixture on the back of sealing the 2-0 victory over Brighton on Tuesday night.
A repeat of the 5-1 Old Trafford win in August would go down a treat at Elland Road but it is likely to be a closer game than that this time around.
Ahead of the match, Bruno took part in a quickfire interview with the club’s official website.
One of the questions was on who is the greatest player of all time and Fernandes named club and international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
He was also asked who his best friend in the United squad is and said: “So that’s a hard one because I have a good relationship with everyone, honestly, but I think I would probably choose Juan [Mata] because I learn a lot from him in this two years.
“He’s been someone who’s been really special and make me better every day, on and off the pitch. He made me grow up to be a better player and a better person also.”
Mata has of course struggled for gametime after signing his new contract in the summer and has started just two games this season.
They were the EFL Cup exit at the hands of West Ham and the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys, which was his only start under Ralf Rangnick.
Mata was an extra time substitute in the FA Cup loss against Middlesbrough earlier this month, when he converted United’s first shootout penalty – but of course it was in vain.
He looks likely to depart in the summer – although that was the case in 2021 before he signed a new deal under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
That is probably the right decision to let him go and play regularly somewhere else and free up some wages at United but Bruno’s comments underline the experience that will leave Old Trafford when that happens.
Mata responded to Bruno’s comments on Instagram, calling on teammate David de Gea not to get jealous and also paying tribute to the midfielder.
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