Juan Mata started the Manchester derby and, like the rest of the 21 players on the field, really struggled to create chances.
The Spaniard was once again subbed off for youngster Jesse Lingard so that Manchester United could play more defensively in the dying stages of the game.
Taking to his weekly blog, Kicca.com/JuanMata8, United’s right winger has gone over the weeks events and says that he hopes to bring victory to the Red Devil fans in the game at the return leg against Manchester City, at the Etihad.
Mata writes:
“Hi everyone, today I’m writing from home, a few hours after our derby against City.
“Obviously, all of us were expecting something more from this game, both in football and in the score.
“Honestly, because we pushed more in the second half I think we were closer to the victory than City, but at the end it was one point for each team and both remain up there in the table.
“There was a lot of intensity on the pitch, but it wasn’t easy to find spaces. It was a very tactical game with not many plays inside the box. As always, thanks to the support of our crowd we tried until the end with passion, but we couldn’t make a goal.
“So as the saying goes, if you can’t win, at least don’t lose. We hope you can celebrate a victory in the return game, you deserve it.
“In my opinion the team competed at a good level. Everybody knows that they have very good players but we barely conceded chances to them. It was a shame not being able to win, but we must be positive and keep going, we are still in the main positions in the table.
“Last Wednesday we got one point from Moscow in the Champions League. Manchester United tries to win every single game, but in general we think this point is not bad considering that we were one goal down and that our Group B is really tight.
“CSKA showed that they are a good opponent, but we will have to beat them in our next game if we want to strengthen our chances to be in the next round.
“This week we have again two games, starting with Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup. They are playing in the Championship, but last season they were really close to be promoted to the Premier League and this year they’re again up there.
“It’s going to be a good rival for us in Old Trafford. I’ve never won this tournament, I hope we can make it this season.
The midweek matchup against Middlesbrough appears to be a game where Jesse Lingard will start on Manchester United’s right wing instead of Juan Mata, but the Spaniard will expect to start against Crystal Palace, at Selhurst Park.
