What happens to the manganese in the following reaction?

\[{\text{2MnO}}_4^ - {\text{(aq)}} + {\text{5}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(aq)}} + {\text{6}}{{\text{H}}^ + }{\text{(aq)}} \to {\text{2M}}{{\text{n}}^{2 + }}{\text{(aq)}} + {\text{8}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O(l)}} + {\text{5}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{(g)}}\]

A.     It is oxidized and its oxidation number increases.

B.     It is oxidized and its oxidation number decreases.

C.     It is reduced and its oxidation number increases.

D.     It is reduced and its oxidation number decreases.

D