Manchester United 2-1 CSKA Moscow: Player Ratings
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.