Juan Mata has admitted that it is "frustrating" not to be able to play for Manchester United in their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
The club's record signing featured in the competition for Chelsea earlier in the season before making the move to Old Trafford in January, leaving him cup-tied.
The Spanish midfielder told The Mirror: "It's frustrating being cup-tied, but it is how it is. Those are the rules and I knew that before I came here.
"But I was really pleased with the comeback against Olympiacos in the previous round. I was in the crowd for that game. It is difficult because you want to play, and when you can only watch as a fan it is tough.
"People are saying how Bayern are going to score a lot of goals, but let's try to avoid that. I think we can, I really do. Every game is different. Right now Bayern are the favourites, they have the pressure to try to win, so we will try to avoid that and try to change what everyone is thinking about the chances we have to qualify."
The first leg of the last-eight tie takes place at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Sian Cowper
