As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Los Blancos on his return to Old Trafford, with Robin van Persie, Danny Welbeck and Nani all lining up for Manchester United

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has elected to drop Wayne Rooney to the bench for his side’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Ryan Giggs returns to the starting line-up ahead of what will be his 1000th appearance for the club whilst Nani is a shock inclusion for the hosts out wide.

Meanwhile, veteran centre-back partnership Rio Ferdinand & Nemanja Vidic reprise their roles in defence but Shinji Kagawa, a hat-trick hero against Norwich at the weekend, is forced to settle for a substitute’s role.

The visitors are largely as expected, with Cristiano Ronaldo picked to start the game upon his first outing at Old Trafford since leaving United in 2009.

Diego Lopez continues in goal for the visitors in the absence of Iker Casillas, whilst Gonzalo Higuain is preferred to Karim Benzema up top.

Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs; Nani, Welbeck, Van Persie
Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Valencia, Young, Kagawa, Rooney, Chicharito.

Real Madrid starting XI: Lopez; Arbeloa, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Alonso, Khedira; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo, Higuain.
Subs: Adan, Pepe, Kaka, Benzema, Modric, Callejon.