Bruno Fernandes was among the players to send a congratulatory message to “magic” Juan Mata after the former Manchester United star scored his first goal for Western Sydney Wanderers.
Mata, 36, spent seven-and-a-half years at Old Trafford after quitting Chelsea. The veteran attacking midfielder would go on to make 285 appearances in total before moving on to pastures new in the summer of 2022.
Since departing United, Mata represented Galatasaray before a challenging spell in Japan with Vissel Kobe, where he featured just once. But the Spaniard has played far more regularly since moving to Australia to join the Westies.
Mata opened his account in the A-League in Western Sydney Wanderers’ 3-2 defeat to Macarthur on New Year’s Day – and Fernandes was quick to pay tribute on social media.
Commenting on a clip of the goal, which was shared by the official A-League’s Instagram account, Fernandes said of his former team-mate: “The year changes but magic never disappears @juanmatagarcia,” alongside a love heart eyes emoji.
He wasn’t the only one of Mata’s former Manchester United team-mates to comment. David de Gea, who left United at the same time as Mata, also chimed in, saying: “The left foot,” with the eyes emoji.
While Mata has found a new lease of life in Australia, it’s been a difficult campaign for Fernandes and Manchester United, who have lost their last three games.
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The Red Devils have underperformed in the Premier League all season and currently find themselves in 14th place despite axing Erik ten Hag and replacing him with Ruben Amorim.
Fernandes has been called out by some for a lack of discipline after being shown three red cards this season, although one was later overturned on appeal. But the influential Portugal midfielder did miss out on Monday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle after being sent off for two yellow cards in United’s previous outing against Wolves.
The 30-year-old is expected to return to the team on Sunday when United travel to their arch-rivals, Liverpool, in the hope of inflicting a surprise defeat on Arne Slot‘s side, who have been beaten just once in the Premier League all season.
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