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Manchester United travel to Russia for second Champions League group game
Jose Mourinho without several stars including his record signing Paul Pogba
Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones left behind as concerns over fitness prevail
Mourinho will be forced to shuffle his pack for the tough encounter in Moscow

Published: 05:43 EDT, 27 September 2017 | Updated: 06:29 EDT, 27 September 2017

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Jose Mourinho does not have the luxury of decisions to make in midfield away at CSKA Moscow with the absence of both Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini damaged his left ankle after an ugly challenge by Shane Long during victory at Southampton last weekend, while Pogba’s hamstring problem persists.

Michael Carrick is also missing and Fellaini would have been certain to start in Russia. It leaves United with a midfield pairing of Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera for the Champions League tie.

Manchester United's predicted starting XI for the Champions League tie vs CSKA Moscow

Manchester United will take a strong position in Group A if they can earn three points

There are dilemmas elsewhere as Mourinho attempts to juggle Europe with the Premier League. United are back in action on Saturday afternoon against Crystal Palace and, even with a flight straight home, will not arrive back in Manchester until Thursday morning.

So Mourinho is likely to be forced to shuffle the pack to a degree. He’s already left Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones back at Carrington as United continue to manage the pair’s fitness.

Ander Herrera is likely to start alongside Nemanja Matic at the heart of United's midfield

Romelu Lukuku and Anthony Martial should start as their good form up front continues

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's pace should see him preferred to Juan Mata in attack

Both were also left out of the win over Basle at Old Trafford a fortnight ago but have started every Premier League game so far.

Chris Smalling is expected to play alongside Eric Bailly at the VEB Arena given Mourinho’s comments on Tuesday about Victor Lindelof ‘needing time to develop’.

Matteo Darmian is pushing for the right back spot in Valencia’s absence, while Daley Blind could start on the left. Luke Shaw did not travel to Moscow. Ashley Young has started three of the last four games and could be rested.

Mourinho has options aplenty in front of Matic and Herrera. Marcus Rashford has barely had a breather so far and the smart money is probably on Anthony Martial being stationed on the left.

Jose Mourinho will take a pragmatic approach vs a side who are notoriously strong at home

It would not be a surprise to see Jesse Lingard leaned on in Russia. United are in a very strong position if they come away with something and Lingard has been a valuable asset in matches like these in the recent past.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan or Juan Mata is a difficult choice, with the former that bit quicker on the break - which United could use to their advantage to devastating effect.

It seems inconceivable that Romelu Lukaku will not lead the line given his run of goals since the £75million move from Everton in the summer but Mourinho - despite the midfield injuries - has a number of big calls to make.