The Spaniard has shared a dressing room with some of the sport’s most revered figures during a sparkling career, but Juan has revealed that he particularly relishes playing alongside Portuguese talisman Bruno Fernandes – a link-up which reaped impressive benefits during last Saturday’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
In that game, Mata assisted Harry Maguire’s equalising goal, while Fernandes scored the key second - which Mata was also involved in - and laid on Marcus Rashford’s late effort, and the pair proved a troublesome prospect for the Magpies’ midfield throughout as the Reds created an impressive 24 chances on Tyneside.