Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has said that there is no time for mourning following the club's defeat in the Manchester derby.

United came up short against local rivals Manchester City on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola's side ran out deserved 2-1 winners at Old Trafford.

"We're starting yet another busy week with two more games; in this month of December, there's no truce," Mata wrote on his official blog.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't finish the week as we expected since the derby at Old Trafford didn't work out as we wanted. City took the lead, we tied the score before the break but, in the second half, we couldn't overcome their second goal. We were close, but in the chances we had, the ball just didn't go in.

"The truth is these are three points like in any other game, although the defeat is painful because it was a derby. We must carry on, knowing that there's still a long way to go. The calendar gives you no time for mourning and we have to focus on what's next."

United now find themselves 11 points behind Premier League leaders City after the loss.