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Goals: Vitinho 45’, Romelu Lukaku 64’, Marcus Rashford 66’
Manchester United secured the top spot in Group A of the UEFA Champions League after registering a comeback win over CSKA Moscow at the Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Vitinho had put the Russian club ahead just before the halfway mark after Mario Fernandes set him up with a good cross. United, though, managed to turn the game around, inspired by terrific performances from Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw. They scored two goals through Romelu Lukaku and Rashford within a gap of two minutes.
As a result, United are now on a 40-match unbeaten run at Old Trafford.
Here are the player ratings:
Manchester United
Sergio Romero: 7/10
While his distribution could have been more polished, he was there whenever the team needed him making a couple of routine saves, especially when he denied Alan Dzagoev from scoring a late equaliser. However, there was nothing that Romero could do about the goal.
Antonio Valencia: 6/10
The man with the armband did well to keep Vitinho and Nababkin quite for the 70 minutes he was on the pitch. He darted forward ambitiously but his crosses were often overhit.
Chris Smalling: 6.5/10
Smalling was solid defensively and kept Chalov under the hood. He probably should have done better to hit the target from Mata’s cross in the second half.
Victor Lindelof: 7.5/10
After having received enough flak for a string of poor performances after coming to England, Lindelof is having a decent run in recent games. The Swede read the game well, was very vocal and often brought the ball forward with intent.
Daley Blind: 7/10
The Dutch defender looked comfortable in his first outing of the season in a back three. However, he was partly responsible for the goal United conceded.
Luke Shaw: 7.5/10
Making a comeback to the side, Shaw had a point or two to prove to Mourinho. The young left back looked impressive as he was contributed in the attack by making marauding runs down the left flank. However, he did fail to track Fernandes’ overlapping run that led to CSKA’s opener.
Ander Herrera 6.5/10
Hererra went about his job well, shutting down the opposition’s attacks with his clever interceptions and well-timed tackles in the midfield. However, he offered little offensively.
Paul Pogba: 7.5/10
In the absence of Matic, Pogba had to shoulder additional responsibilities in the midfield. His passing was on the mark, but he was frequently guilty of taking on one too many and giving up possession. He did assist Lukaku with a delightful, inch-perfect lofted pass.
Juan Mata: 7.5/10
He troubled Moscow’s defence with his clever passing and direct runs through the night. However, he played a couple of erratic passes, one of which could have resulted in a goal for CSKA. Assisted Rashford with a very clever lofted pass for United’s second.
Marcus Rashford: 8.5/10
Rashford was a livewire in United’s forward line and almost scored the opener when he hit the post as early as in the fifth minute. The 20-year-old troubled CSKA’s defence time and again with his speed and menace and took his goal brilliantly after Mata put him through.
Romelu Lukaku: 8/10
The Belgian forward started the game really well, combining with Mata and Rashford. He even created the first two big chances of the game. Just as it looked like he was fading away, Lukaku did what he does best - bully the defender and get his name on the scoresheet.
Substitutes:
Scott McTominay: 5/10
Produced a rather poor challenge that earned him a booking in the 72nd minute.
Axel Tuanzebe: 6/10
He looked comfortable during his brief stint at right wing back and helped United shut out the game.
Anthony Martial: 6/10
He went forward with purpose but was often guilty of not releasing the ball early enough.
CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow players celebrate after scoring the opener
Igor Akinfeev: 6/10
The Russian keeper was very impressive as he kept United at bay initially. He pulled off a double save midway through the first half to deny Shaw and then, Lukaku and also, did well to see off Rashford’s effort early in the second half. He was little at fault for the two goals.
Mario Fernandes: 6.5/10
It was the 27-year-old right back’s brilliant overlapping run that led to CSKA’s opener right before the stroke of half-time. Defensively, though, Fernandes failed to contain Rashford and Shaw.
Vasili Berezutski: 6/10
Made a brilliant interception to deny Lukaku, who would have been through on goal, early in the second half. Went into the book for a needless challenge on Pogba just a few minutes after that.
Sergei Ignashevich: 6.5/10
Ignashevich did well to thwart Lukaku’s threat in the first half and made some crucial tackles. However, he was let down by his partners in the backline on several occasions.
Viktor Vasin: 5/10
He played his part, up until the hour mark, but the dual threat of Rashford and Lukaku was probably too much to deal with. Vasin could have managed to deny Lukaku’s goal had he been physically stronger, but then again he was up against Lukaku.
Kirill Nababkin: 5.5/10
Playing left wing back, Nababkin offered little going forward. He was bossed by Valencia throughout as the Ecuadorian went past him on a number of occasions.
Konstantin Kuchaev: 6/10
Hugely overshadowed by United’s far superior midfield, Kuchaev failed to keep Pogba and Mata under check. He did not track back enough and was often found napping.
Aleksandr Golovin: 6/10
Golovin failed to influence the game whatsoever. His passing was erratic, he could not hold on to the ball and ended up giving away possession on one too many occasions. He was kept well under check by a disciplined Herrera.
Vitinho: 6/10
He was definitely not at his best but got his name on the scoresheet. After all, it was his effort that brushed of Dzagoev’s back on its way to goal. Otherwise, he had a difficult time as Lindelof dominated over him and was rightfully substituted in the later stages.
Alan Dzagoev: 6.5/10
Dzagoev was one of the best players on the pitch for CSKA. He moved the ball around nicely, took up dangerous positions and almost scored a goal in the final stages.
Fedor Chalov: 4/10
Chalov had a night to forget at Old Trafford. Neither could he hold on to the ball, nor did he manage to create any chances whatsoever. He was lucky to last 66 minutes.
Substitutes:
Astemir Gordyushenko: 6/10
He was brought on in place of a particularly ineffective Chalov after United’s second goal.
Timur Zhamaletdinov: 6/10
He replaced Vitinho at a time when United were leading by one goal but could not do much.
Khetag Khosonov: NA
He came on too late to affect the game.
