Manchester United manager David Moyes has recalled Robin van Persie for tonight's trip to Shakhtar Donetsk, but Wayne Rooney is a surprise omission through injury.

Van Persie is fit to start for the first time since United's last Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen, but Rooney misses out on the 18-man squad completely after hurting his shin in training yesterday.

Moyes has made nine changes in total to the side that were beaten by West Bromwich Albion, with Rafael, Marouane Fellaini and Danny Welbeck among those recalled.

Chris Smalling will start in central defence alongside Nemanja Vidic, while Patrice Evra also returns at left-back.

Tom Cleverley is preferred to Anderson in midfield, while Antonio Valencia is back in the starting XI ahead of Nani.

Shakhtar have recalled Luiz Adriano in attack for tonight's clash, with Douglas Costa and Taison providing support from wide areas.

United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Cleverley, Welbeck, van Persie

Shakhtar: Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk, Fernando, Hubschman, Douglas Costa, Teixeira, Taison, Adriano

Written by
Liam Power