Mata: Liverpool Is The Biggest Derby

Juan Mata has played in local derbies with Valencia and Chelsea, but as far as our creative no.8 is concerned, they are no match for Manchester United's historic rivalry with Liverpool.

The Spain international joined the Reds in January 2014 and his first experience of facing Liverpool was not a positive one, with United losing 3-0 at Old Trafford. Thankfully, he soon experienced the highs of victory in this fixture during last season’s two victories over Brendan Rodgers’ side.

Liverpool visit the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday and Mata is determined to help secure a third straight victory against our age-old rivals, as well as the atmosphere that engulfs this fixture.

“You cannot know it if you don't live it from the inside,” Mata explains in Saturday’s edition of United Review, the matchday programme. “I knew when I came to England that United-Liverpool was one of the biggest games, but when you are inside it and part of it, you realise it is the biggest.

“The history of both clubs, the rivalry... you can feel it from the start of the week before the game, it's unbelievable. When we lost my first game against them it was very disappointing and you could feel it in the atmosphere and among the fans. But when we won 3-0 and also won at Anfield, it's something the people never forget, so it's always a massive game for us.”

Mata scored in last season’s 3-0 home win over Liverpool and he then etched his name into United history by scoring twice in the 2-1 success at Anfield, where his acrobatic volley was later named Goal of the Season at the club’s annual awards night. It's an occasion he has been continually asked about by fans and the diminutive forward has fond memories.

“That is a very nice feeling,” he explains. “People I meet in the street always remember that game and it's something that will always be there for me. The week after it, every day at the training ground everyone came up to me and congratulated me and you could feel that for all the staff at United and for every supporter around the world, that game was something special.”