David De Gea
Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo
Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera
Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay
Anthony Martial
Despite helping Manchester United keep a clean sheet at the weekend, Phil Jones could lose his spot to Daley Blind. As that was his first full game back since recovering from injury, Louis van Gaal not want to strain the Englishman too much.
The centre backs are going to have to be alert for the whole game otherwise Seydou Doumbia and Ahmed Musa will punish them with their epic pace and wicked shot.
Schneiderlin would take up a similar role to the one adopted in the Everton game, which was to cut off the attacking midfielder. Against Everton it was Ross Barkley, in Moscow it will be Alan Dzagoev, if he’s given a central role, he will occasionally be played out on the wing.
As Memphis Depay should have recovered from the Netherlands failings by now, he could make the field against CSKA, which would put Martial upfront and push Rooney back into midfield.
This move would greatly benefit Martial as he would have a 33 and a 36 year old to run at all game. But Rooney going back into midfield would not help his goal scoring.
Ander Herrera could take up a less attacking role in this game, to allow space for Rooney and give Bastian Schweinsteiger a rest. Or, van Gaal might rest the Spaniard as well, and field Michael Carrick instead.
Despite being subbed off at half time against Everton, Juan Mata should start in Moscow but could get subbed off for Antonio Valencia in the second half.
In the two games that Manchester United have played CSKA Moscow, Antonio Valencia has scored the final goal. One earned a point in a 3-3 draw; the other was the game winner with the result being 1-0.
Manchester United and CSKA Moscow kick off at the Arena Khimki at 19:45. The match will be broadcasted on BT Sport Europe HD.
