Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has backed former Valencia teammate Isco – who is undergoing a rough period under Santiago Solari – to bounce back from the series of setbacks.

Isco has not started a single league game under the new manager and there is no evidence to support any claim that things might get better for the Spaniard at Real Madrid.

Mata praised Isco’s talent and said that he believes things will improve for the former Malaga man.

“I appreciate Isco, as I met him at Valencia and I saw all the talent he had,” Mata said in an interview with Radio MARCA.

“The only thing you can do in situations like this is to continue working, to not lose confidence in yourself and to try to take advantage of opportunities when you have them.

“In the end, talent always stands out and he has plenty of it.

“I send a very strong hug from here and I’m sure that, in the end, things will improve.”