Valencia winger Juan Mata claims the injuries to Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs which have ruled the Manchester United trio out of tonight's Champions League clash at the Mestalla will make the home side's task no easier.
Rooney, who has endured a tough start to the season, has been ruled out for three weeks with an ankle injury and Scholes for 10 days with a calf complaint, while Giggs has a hamstring problem.
"Facing Manchester United is always difficult, regardless of whether they have a series of injuries to important players or not," said Mata, whose side hammered Turkish champions Bursaspor 4-0 away from home in their Group C opener and are top of the Spanish League.
"However, I think that they have a big enough squad to be able to have a good chance in this game. They have some top players, so even though Giggs, Scholes and Rooney are out they will be adequately replaced. It is always difficult to play against them and those who play will be giving 100 per cent."
Mata, a member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, is disappointed he will not get the chance to come up against Giggs, one of his boyhood idols.
"Giggs is honestly a player who I have always liked, even when I was little," the 22-year-old added. "His characteristics and his place as one of the best ever wingers to play in Europe are what draw me to him. He is a big absentee, above all because of the experience that he has. Other great players are available though, for example Park [Ji-sung], with the talent to cover for him well.
"In any case, for the good of football I hope Ryan recovers quickly and can continue to play for years to come."
