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Manchester United's Juan Mata revelling in 'big pressure' ahead of West Ham clash

Juan Mata celebrates what proved the matchwinner for Manchester United at Norwich
Image: Juan Mata celebrates what proved to be the matchwinner for Manchester United at Norwich

Manchester United's Juan Mata is excited to be involved in what will be a "special" last game at West Ham's Boleyn Ground on Tuesday night.

Having won at Norwich on Saturday, Louis van Gaal's side now approach their penultimate Premier League game of the season knowing if they win their remaining matches, they can secure a place in next season's Champions League competition.

United are unbeaten against West Ham in three meetings already this season and they will be hoping to burst the Hammers' bubble as they say goodbye to their stadium at Upton Park, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United scores their first goal
Image: Marcus Rashford scored a stunning goal when United won at Upton Park in the FA Cup last month

"It's going to be special," Mata wrote in his weekly blog.

"The last official game at the Boleyn Ground, where West Ham has been playing for 112 years. With that image of Bobby Moore, it's a place that breathes English football... it will be an honour to be there and try to get the last win.

"West Ham has been a tough opponent this season. We know them well because we've played against them in the FA Cup too. They are in the seventh position by a combination of effort and talent, not by chance.

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West Ham captain Mark Noble admits emotion could take over as his side play their last game at the Boleyn Ground

"It (the win at Norwich) was a very important win to keep us in the fight for the Champions League, even more after the draw between (Manchester) City and Arsenal."

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Mata was given the man-of-the-match award after Saturday's successful but disappointing performance at Carrow Road, the Spain midfielder scoring the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 away victory.

Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (L) shoots
Image: Mata (L) shoots on goal during United's win at Carrow Road on Saturday

The Red Devils have won seven of their last nine fixtures but they could potentially face West Ham without top-scorer Anthony Martial, who faces a race against time to be fit for the game after suffering a tight hamstring in the pre-match warm-up on Saturday.

"These are the games as a player you want to play in, the big-pressure games. We're ready. We've been training hard," he told MUTV.

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"Mentally, you've got to prepare for that (the attention around Upton Park) and we know there will be a great atmosphere. But we won't let anything faze us on the day because we have a job to do, which is to get the three points."

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