Manchester United veteran Juan Mata is staying strong despite not being in the team for several important games.

The midfielder has been in and out of the team throughout manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure.

But it is clear he is not first choice if nearly everyone is fit, given the competition for attacking and midfield places in the squad.

Mata could be involved as United face Paris Saint-Germain at home in the Champions League on Wednesday.

"I try to stay strong in my head, to train as best I can, to be physically and mentally ready every time someone calls me," he told L'Equipe, per the Mirror.

"Even if, of course, it's not always easy to be so when you don't play every game."