Mata insists the team should be built around the midfielder.
The Spaniard told ESPN: "I can tell you that for me, there is a great leader in there right now, which is the captain, Bruno.
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"I should tell to all young players to look up to him. I cannot tell you how important he is for the club.
"And not only because of what he's done in the last games, scoring two goals and winning the game against Sheffield United.
"But his consistency within the years that he's been playing for the club is just incredible.
"He's a top, top player, but he's even better as a person. So for me, the culture of the club should be built around him."