How Manchester United Will Line Up Against Shakhtar Donetsk

While Manchester United's league form may have drawn plenty of ire from David Moyes' critics, the new manager enjoyed a fairly comfortable start to his life at Old Trafford when it came to the Champions League back in September.

In their Group A opener against Bayer Leverkusen, United ran out 4-2 after a putting on a highly fluent performance full of desire, wit and sophisticated movement.

Though not directly contributing to the scoreline, Shinji Kagawa acted as a pivot point around which the rest of the team swirled into attack. Robin van Persie roamed out onto the left wing while Wayne Rooney wandered out across the field with freedom. Leverkusen were pulled apart by United's fluidity.

At full-time it seemed as though Moyes' United team had finally revealed their exciting, true nature to the world.

Unfortunately, judging by the mediocrity that has largely followed since, that night has so far proven to be nothing more than a false dawn.

Having watched his side fall apart against Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion over the last fortnight, Moyes admitted to the press that United lacked the quality to be European contenders, via Sky Sports.

"

To win the Champions League, you need five or six world-class players. Look at Bayern Munich, they have it. Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past and Real Madrid, who have maybe got it now. That's the level you have to be at to win it. We've not got that yet but what we have got is experience.

"

Judging by comments, United may well go for experience in their tricky away game to Shakhtar Donetsk if Moyes' under-strength squad is able to match the calibre of their opponents.

Here's how the team could line up on their visit to the Ukraine.

Goalkeeper

Form and fitness permitting, David De Gea will likely be ever-present in goal for United this season with Moyes offering no hints that he wishes to rotate keepers.

In goal: De Gea.

Defence

Patrice Evra is an important senior player both in the dressing room and on the pitch. If Moyes wants experience, there's no one else worth considering at left-back.

On the right, Rafael's return from injury would lift the side, considering the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the right flank. Whenever the Brazilian is match fit and ready to play, his name should be one of the first on the team sheet.

United's central partnership is more complicated.

Should Moyes plump for his veteran pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, the two old hands may cause the team's defensive line to sink far too deep and back towards their own goal area.

As underlined during the Manchester derby, against the wrong team, United's aged defence can be quickly surrounded and besieged in their box with predictable results. Should the old guard be summoned into action once more, Phil Jones may be a safety-first option at right-back.

Due to a lack of squad rotation, the main alternatives—Jonny Evans and Jones—have not been granted much game time in the middle, and the Northern Irishman especially looked to be lacking match sharpness in his last couple of appearances.

Having played against Liverpool and West Brom, however, Evans may now be prepared enough to reclaim a starting berth in the team. Pairing him with Jones would be a bold but well-earned move considering the Englishman's endeavours at full-back of late.

Moyes has been quick to bench players who fail to make a good first impression when selected. Should he decide to go for a mix of experience and youth, Vidic may get the call considering Ferdinand's problems against West Brom. In this scenario, Jones may be preferred with Evans judged to have missed the opportunity to secure more playing time for now.

Moyes' experienced defence: Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Jones.

Moyes' pragmatic defence: Evra, Vidic, Jones, Rafael.

Greg's preferred defence: Evra, Evans, Jones, Rafael.

Midfield

Whether United play 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, the nature of their wingers usually means that the midfield is ultimately made up of a two-man pivot.

That leaves Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini as the squad's two senior midfielders, besides Ryan Giggs.

Alternatively, Jones could feature in the middle following his run out in midfield against Liverpool in the 1-0 League Cup win, but it's likely that Moyes will want to try and encourage his first-choice pivot to continue to forge an understanding through playing more games together.

Midfield: Carrick, Fellaini.

Wings

Has Kagawa blown his chances with Moyes?

Subbed off at half-time for the promising if unready Adnan Januzaj, the Japanese doesn't appear to have convinced his new manager of his quality so far, even after providing some sumptuous deliveries into the box against West Brom.

In comments following that game, Moyes told the press:

"

We want Shinji to feel he's getting an opportunity to show what he can do and his best position may be number 10, but even for Japan he plays off the left as well so it's not something which is strange to him or a position he's not used to.

"

The manager's words follow on from his detached comments prior to the Liverpool game, in which he said, "Everybody tells me how good Kagawa is, but I've not got to know him yet."

Unless Moyes is once again falling prey to sloppy phrasing when speaking to the media, it seems that he's currently struggling to see what all the fuss is about.

Judging by his progress played tucked in on the left in the games against Leverkusen, Liverpool and the first half of the West Brom defeat, should Kagawa be given another chance against Shakhtar, he may well improve further. Whether he is offered such an opportunity, or Moyes is able to recognise his contributions should he make the most of it, is a separate matter entirely.

With Ashley Young maligned, Danny Welbeck may get the nod instead of the Japanese playmaker.

On the right, it's a straight shootout between Antonio Valencia and his greater defensive qualities and a resurgent Nani who appeared to be able to once again channel his immense quality into an end product in United's home defeat at the weekend. The Portuguese was arguably the best player on the pitch.

Should Moyes want experience: Young, Valencia.

Should Moyes want work rate: Welbeck, Valencia.

Greg's preferred wingers: Kagawa, Nani.

Strikers

Should Van Persie be fit enough to play, Moyes may well hit the panic button and play him up front.

Regardless of his persistent presence in the United starting XI last season, however, taking the Dutchman's injury record for granted by rushing him back is not a risk worth taking.

Having stuttered through their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign, Van Persie's goals and powers of improvisation will be sorely needed during and after Christmas. There's no sense in putting United's prime goal scorer under undue stress for the short-term gains of an away trip to Donetsk.

With Javier Hernandez desperate for games, the long-suffering Mexican deserves the chance to add to his balletic match-winner against Liverpool.

Behind the main striker, there can only be one man: Wayne Rooney.

The Englishman has reverted to type as United's best player, seemingly carrying the team with his committed, all-action performances in the absence of Van Persie.

Welbeck is another option up front. But with Moyes beginning to feel the heat, his wastefulness in front of goal will count against him until United can afford to play him, regardless of his undoubted ability.

Should Rooney be rested or played as the main striker himself, Kagawa may be given a shot in the central No. 10 role that his fans have been crying out for, as hinted by Moyes' comments about his role.

Moyes' fitness gamble: Rooney, Van Persie.

Moyes' last chance saloon: Kagawa, Rooney.

Greg's preferred strikers: Rooney, Hernandez.