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patrick-harvey
24th October 2015

CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United match report

Ahead of the upcoming Manchester Derby, Patrick Harvey analyses United’s recent performance in the Champions League
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TLDR

Ahead of the derby, Louis Van Gaal made a few interesting team selections. Juan Mata and Matteo Darmian were dropped after the weekend’s win at Goodison Park, and were replaced by Antonio Valencia and Champions League debutant Jesse Lingard.

The Manchester club made a tentative start to the game. They had clear dominancy of possession, which was a feature of the whole night, but failed to make any mark on the Russian defence.

In the 13th minute the marauding right back Mário Fernandes cut in from the right as Marcos Rojo was caught out of position and forced a great save from David De Gea at his near post. However, upon closer inspection it became obvious that Anthony Martial had committed a deliberate handball as the Brazilian right back flicked the ball past him. It was a mistake we have not been accustomed to since the Frenchman’s arrival in Manchester, one that Van Gaal described as a ”stupid reaction”. The referee Carlos Velasco Carballo dutifully pointed to the spot. David De Gea did his best to save the blushes of Martial, making a fantastic save from Roman Eremenko’s penalty onto his right post, and then flicking it away from the penalty taker with his leg. Unfortunately, (Seydou Doumbia the man who terrorised City in the group stages last year) was at hand to tuck away the rebound, securing his 13th goal in the competition.

United were close to being two behind half an hour in, as Ahmed Musa the young Nigerian called De Gea into action again, with a remarkable long-range effort.

United’s dominance of possession carried on after the goal but they failed to cause any concern for Igor Akinfeev, the Russian national keeper.  That was until Rooney’s speculative effort on 36 minutes almost crept into the far corner, marking the best chance for the reds in what was an underwhelming first half.

At half time Van Gaal made the precarious decision to take the experienced Bastian Schweinsteiger off for the Belgian Marouane Fellaini. It proved to be the correct one, allowing Ander Herrera to move back, giving the United midfield the burst of pace it badly needed.

United made a good start to the second half but it was close to being ruined in the 52nd minute when Moscow had another valid penalty appeal. Rojo – who looked uncertain all night at left back – misjudged a speculative ball from the left hand side and while attempting to head clear, the ball clearly stuck his arm.

It was just the luck the English side needed to get back into the match. The domination continued and a few minutes later Rooney almost equalised as he beat the CSKA defence to a near post ball from Herrera, but the effort was straight at the keeper.

However, it wasn’t until the 64th minute that United finally penetrated the Russian goal. It was a lovely move that saw the liberated Herrera slide a beautifully weighted pass into the path of the replacement right back Valencia. He then stood up a perfect cross to Martial who had pulled off the Moscow defence and smartly tucked away a cushioned header into the far corner. This sent the French wonder kid from villain back to his status as hero in the eyes of the United faithful.

There was almost an opening for Fellaini to win it late on but Akinfeev beat him to a Martial cut back. Nevertheless, there was little more threat posed by United who seemed content with a draw in what was a hostile atmosphere.

United will most likely be pleased to pick up their first away point in Group D, which leaves them in a reasonably strong position with two more games at Old Trafford. Finishing top of the group however does looks tough for Van Gaal’s men as Wolfsburg are two points ahead, with United still to travel to Germany. The game will give the boss a few decisions before the derby. Most notably whether to start the disappointing Schweinsteiger or whether to go with Fellaini who impressed in the second half. There is also still an air of uncertainty over the ability of Rooney to play as a lone striker. He was very much isolated against Moscow and Van Gaal will need a cohesive attacking unit against a City defence that can be penetrated.


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