Prior to Juan Mata's expected departure from the club this summer, Bruno Fernandes has made it obvious that he is the ideal alternative.

It's hard to believe Mata, who cost Chelsea £40 million in January 2014, has been a United player for more than eight years already. A fan favorite for his poise and class on the pitch, the playmaker has accumulated 51 goals and 47 assists in 280 games.

After the season is through, it looks like his time in Manchester will come to an end. Last summer, Mata signed a 12-month contract extension, but now it appears that he won't be getting a new deal this time around.

With only eight games under his belt and only 225 minutes on the field to show for it, Mata isn't getting much playing time despite appearing sharp when he does get any. Since Fernandes was signed from Sporting in January 2019 and immediately became one of the club's most significant players, the 33-year-playing old's time has steadily decreased.

Even if his production has slowed this season due to United's struggles, the Portuguese star has already scored 49 goals and provided 39 assists for the club in just 121 appearances during his first half of the season. He or any other offensive midfielder hasn't had an issue finding a place in the starting lineup since.

Mata was replaced by Fernandes long before he was expected to leave, and he even recommended him as a replacement himself. The departure of his close friend and compatriot Ander Herrera from Paris Saint-Germain back in 2020 was discussed by Mata, who stated that he wished he could play alongside Fernandes.

He told Manchester United's official website in April 2020 that he misses Herrera on the pitch, as well as in the dressing room and outside. "We lived in the same neighborhood." I miss him since we had lunch, dinner, and watched football together after training.

"Being able to enjoy playing football with someone who shares your perspective, whether it's Bruno or someone like him, is one of the greatest joys of the game. When you're not playing with folks like this, you always miss them."

Manchester United will be relying on Fernandes for years to come. The Portuguese recently agreed to a new long-term contract that would keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2026, with an option for a further 12 months.