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Absence of Vidic, Evans, Ferdinand and Smalling mean Evra will have to fill in at Center-Half. His younger and quicker protege Alex Buttner will have to keep track of City's threats on the right. Rafael will need to be a much more grown up version of his rash self if he's going to last the full 90 minutes. Phil Jones will also have to step up and give another stand out performance if United are going to hold on for a win. Michael Carrick's indifferent form drops him to the bench, in his place the rejuvenated Darren Fletcher who will have to act as the enforcer for United in the middle of the park. Danny Welbeck keeps his spot on the left having been the push-me-pull-me influence on Olympiakos back four. Valencia returns on the right, and United fans can only hope this is the game where he remembers how to put the ball onto Wayne Rooney's ever balder head. Mata plays in the position he should always play in, behind the front line, making chances happen and finding gaps to run into. He looked more like himself against West Ham so today might be the day he takes a game by the scruff of the neck. If I had my way Rooney would already be wearing the captains armband, ahead of Vidic and Evra. Another stand out performance today would guarantee that he takes it from the departing duo at the end of the season. United will need to play out of their skins to overcome the title favorites, but a win would see fifth place become a real possibility as Everton take on Newcastle. Hoping for fifth place is a dismal reminder of the season so far, but European football of any sort is an absolute must come the end of May. Moyes no doubt has a plan, and hopefully that will indeed involve the likes of Carvalho and Kroos. For the mean time we can only hope that he's inspirational enough to keep a group of players (most of whom seem destined for pastures new) focused and passionate about the task at hand.