Report: Manchester United 2 CSKA Moscow 1
Manchester United secured safe passage through to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, with a 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford that confirmed the Reds’ status as Group A winners.
United started the game strongly and were on the front foot from the off, with Rashford latching onto a Lukaku ball and racing clear of the CSKA defence after just four minutes, only to see his low effort cannon back off the post.
The Reds’ best chance of the opening half came after 20 minutes, with Luke Shaw’s low volley stinging the palms of Russia international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, and an outstretching Lukaku unable to get enough on the rebound to convert from close range.
It was CSKA, however, who took the lead late on in the first half with a goal against the run of play. A low Mario Fernandes cross from the right-hand side was met by Vitinho, whose shot deflected into Sergio Romero’s goal off the back of Dzagoev to put the visitors ahead at the interval.
United 2 CSKA 1
GalleryScroll through the standout images from the Champions League tie at Old Trafford.
United continued to threaten and got the reward in the 64th minute. Lukaku latched onto a floated through-ball from Paul Pogba, with the Belgian striker volleying home from close range to score his 13th goal of the season.
Just two minutes later, the turnaround was complete. Mata’s neat knock forward found Rashford in space inside the box and the England forward fired a low finish past Akinfeev to put United in control.
The visitors had a chance to level things up late on, but Dzagoev’s effort was well saved by the feet of Romero.
Elsewhere, a 2-0 win for FC Basel away at Benfica means it’s the Swiss side who will be joining United in the knockout phases, with the draw to be made on Monday.
United: Romero; Valencia, (Tuanzebe 72), Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Herrera (McTominay 67), Blind; Mata, Pogba, Rashford; Lukaku (Martial 74).
Booked: McTominay
Subs not used: Pereira, Darmian, Young, Lingard.
CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev; V. Berezutski, Vasin, Ignashevich; Fernandes, Golovin, Kuchaev, Nababkin; Vitinho (Zhamaletdinov 82), Chalov (Gordyushenko 64), Dzagoev.
Booked: Berezutski
Subs not used: Pomazun, Makarov, Khosonov, Olanare.
Shaw’s 50th appearance: He’s been absent from the first-team squad of late, but Luke Shaw will have been delighted to make his 50th appearance for the club under the lights at Old Trafford. The left-back impressed on his return to senior duties and was a constant attacking threat in wide positions, causing the CSKA defence problems with a number of intelligent forward runs and efforts on goal.
What’s next? It’s a big one - attention now turns to Sunday, where we’ll host City at Old Trafford in the Premier League. With United’s neighbours currently eight points ahead of us in the table, Mourinho’s men will be aiming to close the gap and give the red half of Manchester bragging rights with a victory in one of the season’s showpiece fixtures.
WHAT DID MOURINHO SAY?
"I am pleased with the victory, the quality of the performance and the attitude of the players," Jose told MUTV. "They have pride to play, they didn't want to lose and they wanted to finish well. They wanted to keep a good record at home in the Champions League so I am happy with the win and the performance.
"I was not worried at half-time. I was disappointed with the score but not worried. The team was playing really well and controlling the game. It’s just a question of keeping doing it in the second half and the goals would arrive. I was not worried at all.
"Now, tomorrow is a day off and, on a day off, I don’t think about football. Only on Thursday will I start thinking about the derby."