Despite being one of Manchester United's best players so far this season, Juan Mata is going to be watching this Champions League match from the bench. Louis Van Gaal elected to leave the Spaniard out of his starting lineup against CSKA Moscow in Russia and hand Jesse Lingard his Champions league debut instead, something that United fans hope he doesn't come to regret.
Manchester United drop Juan Mata against CSKA Moscow
The Spanish playmaker has been very good for Manchester this season, but he’s starting from the bench in Russia in the Champions League.
Mata isn't the only Manchester regular left out -- Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Memphis Depay, and Marouane Fellaini are all starting from the bench as well. The English side has good depth, but against a CSKA Moscow side that looks pretty close to full strength, rotating that much seems like a pretty big risk. Come the end of the group stage, Van Gaal might be looking back at this decision with regret.
CSKA Moscow starting XI (4-2-3-1): Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Vasili Berezutski, Sergey Ignashevich, Georgi Schennikov; Pontus Wernbloom, Roman Eremenko; Zoran Tošić, Alan Dzagoev, Ahmed Musa; Seydou Doumbia
Manchester United starting XI (4-2-3-1): David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo; Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial; Wayne Rooney
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