Mata: Let's Bring Back The Special Nights

Juan Mata admits he is eager to sample Old Trafford’s big-game atmosphere in the UEFA Champions League tonight, after missing out when Manchester United last played a home match in the competition two seasons ago.

The Spaniard joined the Reds in January 2014 but was unable to face Olympiacos and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages due to his involvement with Chelsea earlier in that campaign. He did feature in last month’s home play-off victory over Club Brugge but the group stage is where the Champions League really begins and Wednesday's clash with Wolfsburg is of great importance following the Reds' opening defeat away to PSV Eindhoven.

"I cannot wait,” says Mata. “In the first season I came here I couldn’t play in the Champions League because I’d played in it for Chelsea that season, but I was in the stadium when we faced Olympiacos and Bayern Munich and you could feel it was a different atmosphere. They were very special nights and we want to bring those back, starting against Wolfsburg. They will be tough opponents.

“Last season they had a great season in the Bundesliga and kept most of their players and bought new players like Julian Draxler, who is a very good no.10. We’ll have to be ready for that – we know in the Champions League there are no easy games and they are a difficult team to face.”

Progressing to the knock-out stages is the team's primary goal for the time being, but Mata insists the squad have their sights set on achieving big things at home and abroad.

"Our first objective is to get through the group and then go as far as we can. This club and the supporters are waiting for something big and we hope we can give that to them," he added.