Mata: Results since the derby show character

Firstly we got the three points in a really tough game at Bournemouth. They made it hard for us but that’s no news in the Premier League, where you know that you will have to go through some difficulties in every single game. The key is to get over them and to create your chances to win, chances that you eventually have to take, of course. That’s what we did and it gave us a lot of confidence to face the second match of the week against West Bromwich Albion. It was another complex and tough game, and we couldn’t close it until the final whistle despite taking the lead in the first half with two nice goals from Romelu [Lukaku] and Jesse [Lingard].

It may sound like a cliché but, in a month with nine fixtures to play, your goal is to stay absolutely focused on the next game, in order to win it with the utmost professionalism and effectiveness. For sure, you should always try to enjoy every game, but the most important thing in this crucial month is to be physically and mentally ready for the marathon of fixtures.

This week we also have a ‘double session’, what else could it be? We have the Carabao Cup on Wednesday against Bristol City. They are having a sensational season in the Championship so far and, with a few consecutive wins lately, they have proved to be one of the candidates to get promoted. It won’t be an easy game.

A few days later, we will play the third away game in a row, at Leicester. It’s going to be on the day before Christmas Eve, so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy festive season; I hope that you can enjoy Christmas with your beloved ones. My family is coming to Manchester, so we will spend this special time of the year together.