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Real Madrid Vs. Manchester United, UEFA Champions League 2013: Xabi Alonso, Di María Return To The List

It wasn't that big of a secret, but Real Madrid's potential starters Xabi Alonso and Ángel Di María made the team's list for Wednesday's clash against Manchester United after missing out Real Madrid's last Liga BBVA game against Sevilla. Both players are worth of Jose Mourinho's trust, and the Portuguese coach has relied on them in almost every important match Real Madrid has featured in the past three years. Only Iker Casillas is on the team's injury list.

Jasper Juinen

It's always hard to predict lineups, but Jose Mourinho has trusted Di María and Xabi Alonso so much that one can almost assure both of them will start Wednesday's Champions League game against Manchester United. While Khedira's best version is unleashed with Alonso to his side and viceversa, Ángel Di María is the only player capable of providing an energic deffensive effort against Manchester United's powerful left wing.

Di María is having what probably is his worst season in the club so far, so Mourinho could finally chose to play Mesut Özil in the right wing and Modric ahead of Khedira and Alonso. Özil has done well in that position against elite teams like Barcelona, and Real Madrid would also have an easier way to break through United's defense with both him and Modric upfront.

With Pepe's return to the team in the match against Sevilla, only Iker Casillas remains in Real Madrid's injury list, although players like Marcelo are far from being match-fit.

Mourinho called 22 players for Wednesday's European game:

Goalkeepers: Diego López, Adán, Jesús

Defenders: Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Coentrao, Carvalho

Midfielders: Essien, Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Modric

Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Di María, Özil, Benzema, Higuaín, Callejón

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