Champions League football is finally back at Old Trafford and the Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern are loving being amongst Europe’s elite once again.

After a season away, The Red Devils started their Champions League campaign with a 3-0 home win against Basel with Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford grabbing the goals.

This week’s away fixture at CSKA Moscow might prove a little more difficult for Mourinho’s men after the Russian side’s 2-0 victory during the opening round of matches. So, if United are to qualify for the second round, going to places like Moscow and grinding out results is a must.

Firing on all cylinders, Man United boss Mourinho will be looking at a little squad rotation to keep the side fresh and sharp. An injury to star midfielder Paul Pogba will give an opening for maybe one of the fringe players to come in and make a statement on intent.

Some of our punters say this could be United first real test of the season and are eager to see how they fare with this starting eleven.

Let’s have a look..

David De Gea

United’s No.1 will be looking at keeping another Champions League clean sheet. With Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira both getting a run out last week in the EFL cup, De Gea will be looking at proving why he’s amongst the world’s highly rated keepers at the moment.

Different conditions to what he’s been used to will certainly test the shot-stopper as he aims to help United to three vital points.

Matteo Darmian

Having given Antonio Valencia a rest during the last Champions League game, bringing in Ashley Young, Mourinho again may try a different right back to keep his squad happy and fresh.

Darmian has been a bit part player this season and will be looking to put in a bit of a performance on what could be his first Champions League match this season.

Eric Bailly

Having missed the Europa League final, the Super Cup final and the 3-0 win against Basel last week through suspension, Bailly will be eager to get his United Champions league season underway.

The United centre-back has been in great form this season and will be looking to continue this into the European stage.

Chris Smalling

New signing Victor Lindelof’s United career has struggled to gain any pace this season, which has opened up a gap for Chris Smalling.

The defensive partnership of Bailly and Phil Jones seems to be Mourinho’s first choice, though with the likely squad rotation, this match might give Smalling the chance he needs.

Helping keep a clean sheet in the last match against Basel, Smalling showed he’s still a defender that can do a job for United at the back.

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw has had his fair share of opportunities over the years since signing from Southampton. On his latest comeback trial from injury, he may be given one last chance to prove he can be United’s number one left-back.

Shaw’s got to put in a huge performance if he’s to seriously nail down the full back slot. A steady and composed ninety minutes might bring him back into the starting eleven on a regular basis.

Nemanja Matic

One of United’s best performers of the season so far and the key to such a good start, Matic has to start to help secure the three points. This away match in Moscow is going to be a tough test and his steely presence in midfield will be beyond crucial.

With Matic’s ability to break play up and keep the opposition at bay, he can be instrumental in bringing European success this year.

Micheal Carrick

The United skipper got his first start of the season last week in the EFL cup win over Burton Albion, getting the experienced pass-master off the mark.

Going to Moscow is always a tricky affair and playing a midfield two of Matic and Carrick can help the team break up play and pick holes for the pacey and powerful front four.

If Carrick can get sixty-seventy minutes under his belt to frustrate the opposition and then let a more dynamic midfielder come on to secure the win.

Jesse Lingard

Jesse Lingard got twenty minutes of European football last week coming on for Anthony Martial in the second half in what has been a fairly frustrating campaign for the England man thus far. Still, if United are looking to keep the CSKA Moscow team at bay, Lingard’s pace for swift counter-attacks could prove vital.

Mourinho has chosen to use Lingard as bit-part player this season but if he’s to force himself into the first team fully, a good and disciplined performance might do the trick.

Henrik Mkhitaryan

The Armenian has been in inspired form at the start of this season compared to last season’s slow beginning, much to the delight of our resident Red Devils. Mkhitaryan will be looking to produce similar form he showed in the Europa League winning run, as well as his domestic showings so far this term.

His pace can change matches and with his high assist rate, Moscow has better make sure they have their wits about them.

Anthony Martial

Looking more and more dangerous the more game time he gets, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford are involved in a straight shootout for the left-sided berth. Rashford bagged last time out but based on Martial’s dribbling ability and quick feet, he’s likely to get the nod ahead of his teammate.

If United are looking at a counter-attack style for the first two-thirds of the match then Martial with his pace and power has to be a starter, while Rashford will be looking to come on and get the typical substitute goal we’ve seen so often this season.

Romelu Luakau

Scoring on his Champions League debut last week is just adding to what has been an unbelievable start to life in Manchester. Lukaku’s strength and current confidence in front of goal gives Jose Mourinho the right man up front to help grab the win.

If Lukaku can carry on his form of late Moscow are in for a tough night ahead when the pair meet this week.