Captain Bruno Fernandes is refusing to rule out the prospect of playing in Australia at some point in the future following conversations with former Manchester United teammate Juan Mata.

Mata, 36, joined Western Sydney Wanderers back in September after spending time at both Galatasaray and Vissel Kobe since being released by United in June 2022. The Spaniard has made 13 appearances for the Australian outfit in the A-League thus far, scoring one goal and registering two assists.

After spending the entirety of his career playing in Europe prior to moving to Japan and joining Vissel Kobe and then to Australia to link up with Western Sydney Wanderers, the Spaniard has spread his wings somewhat as he comes towards the end of his playing career.

READ MORE: Manchester United player who just scored twice could leave in January transfer window

READ MORE: Ruben Amorim press conference live Manchester United injury updates and team news vs Rangers

Regularly in touch with Fernandes to offer him advice on how he can improve, Mata has had nothing but positives to share about life in Australia, so much so that Fernandes is now opening to thinking about the prospect of following in the Spaniard's footsteps in the future.

"I still talk with him to improve certain things that he thinks can help me and I'm very happy to have someone like him that's done great things in the world of football to have words with me," Fernandes told Optus Sport.

"He's really happy to be there (in Australia). He's been only telling me good things. He's someone that you can feel how happy he is in a place and I think, at the moment, Juan is that kind of person.

"He's been telling me he probably regrets not coming earlier in his career to Australia."

Fernandes continued: "After the videos that he sends me about the lifestyle, about playing golf, being on the beach, the stadium, all the fans, the conditions that he has at the club and everything, I could think about (playing in Australia).

"Obviously at Christmas time I was here with a lot of wind and cold and he was sending me videos of the sun and him living in front of the beach – it was beautiful! If he's still there living it will be an even better option because he told he's in love with the country and the culture."