When CSKA Moscow manager Viktor Goncharenko assesses the Manchester United squad for danger men, the Belarusian boss could highlight any number of players to worry about.
Goncharenko may also have studied the startlingly-good form of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, following their lightning-fast performances in the early stages of the campaign. Their speed could also cause problems for an aging CSKA three-man defence that has a combined age of 108.
However, it is highly probable that CSKA's manager has instructed his players to pay closer attention to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, our midfield Armenian who has become an expert in Europe, particularly in tricky away matches when he has regularly contributed to defining moments on several occasions.
Mkhitaryan was nominated for the Europa League Player of the Year trophy and was perhaps unlucky to lose out to team-mate Paul Pogba, whose opening goal at the Friends Arena could have swayed the vote. But make no mistake, Mkhitaryan is absolutely lethal in European competition.
WHY IS MICKI SO MAGICAL IN EUROPE?
Henrikh spoke at a press conference on Tuesday and gave a positive response when asked why he has been so effective in European competition for United.
“Of course the Champions League is not the same tournament, the Europa League is a bit different,”
Micki said. “I did very well last season, I'm very happy for that, I'm very glad, but this season it's a bit different because we're playing in the Champions League and the tournament is more difficult. But it's not the first time I'm going to play in the Champions League, I know how to deal with it, and I'm going to try to do my best to perform well as well.”
"It's not my first time in the Champions League. I know how to deal with it and I'm going to do my best to perform well."
JOSE COY ON MICKI'S INVOLVEMENT
In his own press conference, the manager refused to confirm whether Mkhitaryan would start against CSKA - stating he had merely selected the player for media duty because he is fluent in Russian.
“Let me make it clear that normally we bring players here that are starting the match the next day,”
the boss said. “Mkhitaryan is coming because he speaks Russian. I try to make life easier for you, especially the Russian media. I'm not saying Mkhitaryan starts the match tomorrow. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't, but the reason he comes is that I want to make life easier for you.
”He played well last season in the Europa League. But last season was last season. This season is another season and we need him to perform well again. Champions League is a different level and the quality is higher, difficulties are higher. Matches away from home are even more difficult and of course we need the best of our players.“