Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has admitted that it is a "shame" not to have beaten local rivals Manchester City, but is looking at the positives.

Louis van Gaal's side played out a goalless draw, the first between the two sides since November 2010, at Old Trafford on Sunday.

A win would have sent United to the top of the Premier League table, but as it stands, the Red Devils are fourth, on level points with third-placed West Ham United.

In his weekly blog, Mata wrote: "We tried until the end with passion, but we couldn't make a goal. So as the saying goes, if you can't win, at least don't lose.

"In my opinion the team competed at a good level. Everybody knows that they have very good players but we barely conceded chances to them. It was a shame not being able to win, but we must be positive and keep going, we are still in the main positions on the table."

United's next game is against Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.