Juan Mata has hailed Guillermo Varela s recent development and feels the Uruguayan defender has been playing like he has been at Manchester United for a decade.
Varela joined United from Penarol in June 2013, but initially struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford due to the stiff competitions for places.
He has become a first-team regular in recent weeks as Louis van Gaal has been forced to turn to youth amid a growing injury crisis at Old Trafford, and Mata is impressed with Varela s rise to prominence.
I m very pleased and I m very happy for him because he is doing very good on the right side, Mata told MUTV.
He s going forward, he s defending very well, he s being aggressive and he s performing like he has been playing for 10 years before.
That is very difficult when you are young and in a stadium such as Old Trafford. He s a very competitive guy, he s very good for the team and the dressing room so we are very happy for him.
Marcos Rojo, meanwhile, is equally happy with Varela s presence at United and has hailed his relationship with the right-back.
I am very happy for him as he has been playing well, Rojo added.
It s not too long since we met and we ve become mates. He s also my chauffeur. He takes me to all the matches as we live close by, so he s been doing all the driving which is fine by me.
In the last few months we have spent a lot of time together and we have become really good mates. He s a really good guy, a great person and a big player for United.
Varela, 22, has made eight appearances for United since making his official debut in the scoreless draw with West Ham back in December.
