Juan Mata cannot wait to experience his first Manchester derby this week.
The Spanish midfielder is preparing for Manchester United's home meeting with neighbours Manchester City on Tuesday night and is eagerly anticipating being a part of one of English football's sternest rivalries.
"The team has got confidence and now there is an exciting challenge ahead: our derby against City on Tuesday," Mata said on his personal blog.
"It will be the first one for me and I'm looking forward to it. You can already feel in the streets that special atmosphere."
United currently sit seventh on the Premier League table on 51 points which has them 12 behind third-placed City but Mata is confident the Red Devils can produce a positive result after Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League win over Olympiakos and the weekend's 2-0 league triumph at West Ham United.
"Our morale has been boosted ahead of the next games," the former Chelsea playmaker added.
"I think it is vital to remain mentally strong and focused on our goals. That is how we are going to approach to the last stage of the Premiership. As if every game was a final.
"Next weekend we will play in Old Trafford again, this time Aston Villa. We must get better results at home."
