LINE UPS: Juan Mata to debut for Man Utd, Van Persie starts and Rooney benched for Cardiff

MANCHESTER UNITED boss David Moyes gave the green-light for new signing Juan Mata to make his debut against Cardiff tonight.

Manchester United boss David Moyes 
 

Moyes challenged his players to prove their critics wrong, making it perfectly clear what should be driving United on now.


"I do believe now that we are playing for the Manchester United jersey and for pride in where we are," Moyes told United Review.

And the club announced the news that Mata would join Robin van Persie in the starting 11, while Wayne Rooney appears on the bench.

The club Twitter revealed: "Juan Mata and Robin van Persie start. Wayne Rooney on the bench."
"There is still a long way to go this season and by the end of it we have to have shown we are much better than many people are making us out to be.

"On the training ground and in the dressing room I see determined and committed players who are desperate to put things right."
Manchester United team:De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Jones, Giggs, Young; Mata, van Persie.

Subs: Lindegaard, Cleverley, Fletcher, Januzaj, Kagawa, Hernandez, Rooney.
Cardiff team: Marshall, Caulker, Hudson (c), John, Mcnaughton, Medel, Whitts, Noone, Mutch, Bellamy, Campbell.
Subs: Lewis, Turner, Kim, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, Daehli, Berget.