Why Juan Mata and Robin van Persie should start against Cardiff City tonight

Centre Midfield – Darren Fletcher

Fletcher has performed well alongside Carrick since his return to fitness and with Carrick injured looks a shoe in to start. In his last Premier League start, the Scot completed 93% of his passes and made three interceptions.

Centre Midfield – Marouane Fellaini

With Carrick injured, tonight provides the perfect opportunity for Fellaini to return to the side alongside Fletcher. David Moyes spent £27 million to bring Fellaini to the club for a reason and – if he is fit enough to return – then the Belgian should start tonight. It hasn’t happened for Fellaini in Manchester this season, due to a combination of his poor form, his team’s poor form and his own poor fitness.

However, in a game that already looks like it could mark the start of a new chapter in United’s season, Fellaini should return. The Belgian has a pass accuracy of 88% this season – higher than Carrick – and has won 67% of the headed duels that he has contested in his role in front of the United back four.

Attacking Midfield Right – Juan Mata

It would be a brave manager that didn’t start the club record signing for his debut and given the wave of optimism that is currently sweeping around the United fanbase, Mata should be thrown in at the deep end for his debut. Fitness should not be an issue, whilst he is already up to speed with the demands of the Premier League. Given the less than inspiring alternatives to Mata, the Spaniard should make his debut from the start on Tuesday evening.

Attacking Midfield – Wayne Rooney

Moyes confirmed this morning that Rooney, Van Persie and Fellaini all trained today. The arrival of Mata does not change the fact that United have missed Rooney severely during his injury lay off and his importance to the side means that he needs to start. The England forward has been the club’s most creative player this season and has laid on 40 chances for his teammates. Nine of these have been converted which – alongside his club high nine goals – means that he has either scored or assisted half of United’s goals this season.

Wayne Rooney Chances Created

Attacking Midfield-Left – Adnan Januzaj

Having shone in an attacking role during Van Persie and Rooney’s spells on the sidelines, it seems only fair that Januzaj should be given a chance to demonstrate his abilities in a forward line that actually resembles the attack that a club of United’s stature should have. The 18 year-old has created the second highest number of chances at the club since the start of December and, whilst the arrival of Mata should mean that he is given more of a rest, has earned his place on the left of United’s midfield.

Striker – Robin van Persie

Whilst Danny Welbeck has deputised ably during the Dutchman’s injury, he is not in the same class as Van Persie, who should start against Cardiff. His injury problems shouldn’t mask the fact that Van Persie has a healthy scoring record in games that he has played this season and the former Arsenal man’s ability in front of goal should see him restored to the starting line up. Van Persie has a conversion rate of 26.9% this season – a shade more than that of the league’s top scorer Luis Suarez (26.8%).

How Man Utd Should Line-Up vs Cardiff