Mata: Manchester derby is really intense

Juan Mata was left out of the team for yesterday’s derby after the return from suspension for Wayne Rooney. He has written his weekly blog and revealed how upset the team is.

Today I’m writing to you from home after a defeat that is not easy to take.

A derby is always special and the one in Manchester is really intense, you can feel it in the streets during the week. That’s why it’s hard to accept that we have lost and, despite not being able to help my team-mates on the pitch, I can tell you that the whole team is very upset.

Playing away against City is always challenging because they have big offensive potential, as it was shown, but having one player sent off in the first half just makes things more complicated. This is the third time this season that one of us has got a red card, so unfortunately we already know what it means to have one player less. But even though Sergio Aguero scored and we were down to 10 men, our team showed pride and almost tied the game, although this time it was not possible.

To be honest, right now, rather than looking at the table we have to focus on our path in order to improve and to win games.

Obviously this situation is not what we wanted, but in this moment the team must stick together and keep on going. I’m sure we will do that.

Read Mata’s blog in full.