Juan Mata says Manchester United can't use the artificial pitch as an excuse against AZ Alkmaar.

The Eredivisie club are unable to play in their own stadium and have had to use Cars Jean Stadion in The Hague, which uses an artificial pitch.

United experienced playing Young Boys last season on a similar surface.

Mata said: "It's a completely different game [to Young Boys] but we need to start from the beginning ready for them.

"They're [AZ] used to playing in these conditions and from the beginning they will be dangerous.

"We will train today to try and adapt to the pitch and hopefully after the game we can not say it was an excuse and we've won the three points."