Manchester United star Juan Mata laments painful derby defeat by City but issues rallying cry: 'The calendar gives you no time for mourning'

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Juan Mata has issued a rallying cry to Manchester United after tasting defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Manchester City.

The 2-1 derby loss at Old Trafford and the tunnel clash that followed have stung Jose Mourinho's side but Mata insists they have no time to lick their wounds. 

He told the club's website: 'The truth is these are three points like in any other game, although the defeat is painful because it was a derby. 

Juan Mata (right) was denied by Ederson (left) late on in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford

'We must carry on, knowing that there’s still a long way to go. The calendar gives you no time for mourning and we have to focus on what’s next.'

Mata came off the bench to replace Ander Herrera against City and almost equalised late on but his close-range strike was brilliantly kept out by Ederson. 

United have a chance to respond as they play twice this week, hosting Bournemouth on Wednesday before visiting The Hawthorns to face West Brom on Sunday.

Mata and his team-mates will recognise the importance of bouncing back as quickly as possible, given the 11-point lead City now hold at the top of the Premier League.

Mata came on for Ander Herrera and United will look to rotate his squad in the coming weeks

The Spaniard accepts defeat by their rivals hurts but called on his side to recover quickly

But the 29-year-old feels United's squad are well equipped to handle the arduous winter schedule.

'The list of fixtures is very demanding this month so it’s important to get to each game in the best condition possible.

'I think we have the ability to do it, even though we know these are the toughest weeks of the season,' he added.