Mata: We showed pride

Juan Mata is disappointed Manchester United were unable to produce the comeback the fans and players believed they could against Liverpool on Sunday.

James Milner fired the Reds in front from the penalty spot in the 27th minute and the visitors held the lead until six minutes from time when Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed in the equaliser.

The fans got behind United as went in search of the winner in the closing minutes but they were unable to find a way through a second time and they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Mata believes they would have won had the game lasted a few more minutes but insists they must more forward and prepare for next weekend's trip to Stoke.

"As I write this, the adrenaline is still pumping due to the atmosphere at Old Trafford, where the fans, same as the players, believed in a comeback that we couldn’t produce, unfortunately," Mata wrote in his weekly blog.

"Liverpool scored first, from the penalty spot, and we couldn’t take our chances to equalise before the break. In the last few minutes we pushed really hard for the victory, which is something that United has done for many years in the past.

"Zlatan was able to tie the score, and we felt that, if the game had lasted a big longer, we would’ve won. It was a pity, because our goal was the three points, obviously…

"Perhaps we didn’t see the best football but it was a thrilling game full of rivalry. All we have to think about now is starting over and trying to win the next game. The team showed pride until the end, and Old Trafford fought with us, as always. It’s time to recover for the next weekend because the competition goes on."

He went on: "Now we have a few days to prepare the game against Stoke City. It’s always a complicated visit, and they have won two consecutive games. As I’ve said before, we must focus on ourselves and play our best football.

"That’s what we have been doing for the last few weeks, with ambition and confidence. There are very important weeks ahead in the calendar, with games against our main rivals, and we must get as many points as possible to keep moving closer to the other teams. There’s still a long way to go…"