Juan Mata tells of Champions League excitement around Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has revealed that everyone at the club is excited by the prospect of playing in the Champions League again.

Louis van Gaal's charges face Club Brugge in the tournament's playoff qualifying round on Tuesday, and Mata has insisted that there is a real buzz around the team again after a year-long absence from the competition.

"Hi everyone, the two words you can hear everywhere these days, both at Old Trafford and the Aon Training Complex, are Champions League," Mata wrote on his official blog.

"We are eager to play it again and, as you know, the playoff round is here.

"We don't want to get too obsessed with that but it's true that getting into the group stage is vital for everybody. Since the beginning of the pre-season we are getting ready for this moment."

United have claimed two wins from their two opening Premier League fixtures this season.