Manchester United star Juan Mata hoping it's third time lucky in UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid after tasting defeat twice with Chelsea
- Manchester United news: All the latest from Old Trafford
- Juan Mata twice tasted defeat in the UEFA Super Cup with Chelsea
- The Spaniard is determined to make it third time lucky with Manchester United
- Jose Mourinho's men face Real Madrid in Skopje, Macedonia on August 8
Manchester United star Juan Mata is determined to make it third time lucky in the UEFA Super Cup final against Real Madrid after twice tasting defeat during his Chelsea career.
The Europa League winners will face their Champions League counterparts in Skopje, Macedonia on August 8 in what will constitute the Spaniard's third appearance in the annual showpiece.
But having suffered defeat with the Blues in matches against Atletico Madrid in 2012 and Bayern Munich a year later, Mata is yet to lift the season-opening trophy; something he believes will change on his third attempt.
Juan Mata celebrates with a clenched fist after scoring the winning goal against Sampdoria
'We [head into] the Super Cup in brilliant condition,' Mata told MUTV.
'I've been lucky to play two [Super Cup finals] and I've been unlucky to lose two.
'We will try again on Tuesday, but it will be hard against Real Madrid.'
Mata twice tasted Super Cup defeat with Chelsea, against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich
Jose Mourinho's men have impressed during their pre-season fixtured with Mata scoring the definitive goal in a 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Wednesday.
Having missed friendly ties against Real Madrid and Barcelona through injury, the diminutive playmaker says he will be fighting fit for next week having come through the Dublin tie.
'I had a little problem but I'm happy to be back and to get a run out ahead of next week,' he said.
Manchester United have already beaten Zinedine Zidane's all-conquering team this summer, albeit via the means of a penalty shootout in an International Champions Cup tie in the USA.
The Spaniard is hoping to finally get his hands on the UEFA Super Cup next week
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