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Juan Mata says Man Utd have 'no time for mourning' after Man City defeat

during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on December 10, 2017 in Manchester, England.
Image: Juan Mata says Manchester United's defeat to Manchester City was 'painful'

Juan Mata says there is "no time for mourning" following Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to fierce rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Mata, who was an 82nd-minute substitute in the highly-anticipated derby at Old Trafford, admitted the defeat was "painful" but is confident the team can quickly overcome disappointed in the run-up to the busy festive period.

during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on December 10, 2017 in Manchester, England.
Image: Mata was a second-half substitute in the Manchester derby

City opened up an 11-point lead atop of the Premier League table with their 14th consecutive top-flight victory, and the Spaniard says Jose Mourinho's side are regretting their missed chances.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't finish the week as we expected since the derby at Old Trafford didn't work out as we wanted," Mata wrote in his blog.

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Man Utd 1-2 Man City

"City took the lead, we tied the score before the break but in the second half we couldn't overcome their second goal. We were close, but in the chances we had the ball just didn't go in.

"The truth is there are three points like in any other game, although the defeat is painful because it was a derby."

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United host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday before a trip to West Brom this weekend - live on Sky Sports Premier League - and Mata believes it is an opportunity for the club to turn their recent disappointment around.

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"We must carry on, knowing that there's still a long way to go," he added.

"The calendar gives you no time for mourning and we have to focus on what's next."

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