Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow: Player Ratings
Manchester United clinched a crucial victory in the Champions League group stages when they narrowly overcome Russian giants CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford yesterday. United were easily the brighter of the two teams as they marched forward on numerous occasions and created a host of terrific chances.
The Russian side put in a resilient effort denying the hosts, time and again, from finding the back of the net. However, Michael Carrick's brilliant long-ball to Jesse Lingard provided a perfect cross for Wayne Rooney who clinched a vital three points for the hosts in front of an exuberant crowd at Old Trafford. With this win, United go top of the table in Group B with two games remaining and just a point separating the top three teams.
Here is the report card of the players involved in the game
Manchester United:
David de Gea - 7/10
The Spaniard had little to do during the first period of the game but showed his alertness when Chris Smalling blindly passed the ball back to him on a couple of instances. He made a terrific save to deny Seydou Doumbia in what was the best chance of the game until that moment. Ultimately, the 24-year old had another decent game.
Ashley Young - 6/10
Ashley Young was again deployed at right-back by Louis van Gaal and the 30-year old didn’t disappoint in his make-shift position. He was well-aware of the threats defensively and was equally astute going forward as well.
Chris Smalling - 7/10
Smalling again showed why he has become such a vital cog in United' defense. The English defender put in a brilliant block from nowhere to deny Seydou Doumbia from scoring. Defensively, the 25-year old marshaled his troops marvelously negating any threat from the visitors.
Daley Blind - 6/10
The Dutchman was composed as always and looked absolutely comfortable with the ball at his feet in the heart of United's defense. He also showed a good eye for the forward run of his team-mates delivering pin-point long balls on more than one occasion during the game.
Marcos Rojo – 6/10
The 25-year old left-back made surging runs across the left flank, time after time and put the CSKA back line in a quandary. He linked up well during the game with Jesse Lingard, though his crossing failed him several times.
Michael Carrick - 8/10
Carrick was his usual self in the midfield finding his team-mates at will with some highly accurate passes. It was his precise long ball to Jesse Lingard that helped United score the solitary goal of the match. He, also, shielded the United defense in central midfield cleanly breaking up play when the visitors looked to march forward towards goal.
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 6/10
The German international paired up brilliantly with Carrick in central midfield. He made some fine runs forward as well and picked out his forwards effortlessly.
Anthony Martial - 7.5/10
Anthony Martial looked the most likely of players to score yesterday until he was surprisingly substituted by van Gaal. He had the CSKA defense baffled with pace and trickery. However, he was found wanting by the linesmen as he slipped offside on a handful of occasions.
Juan Mata - 5.5/10
The Spaniard was deployed out wide in a 4-4-2 system by van Gaal and he did not fare badly at all but not up to his lofty standards. He made some terrific run towards the center and his deft touches proved to be a headache for the CSKA defenders.
Jesse Lingard – 7/10
Lingard was selected ahead of Ander Herrera and he did not disappoint. He looked dangerous every time he had the ball at his feet and proved to be a nightmare on the left-hand side for the visitors. After shifting right in the middle of the second period, it was his important cross that was gobbled up gleefully by Wayne Rooney.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
Rooney looked out of sorts again in a United shirt and was lack-luster during the bulk of the game. He rued a great chance to help the Red Devils take the lead in the second half, but he simply could not put his feet together and shoot. However, he made for his missed chances by slotting in a powerful header to claim the winner for Louis van Gaal's team.
Substitutes:
Marouane Fellaini - 3/10
The big Belgian was brought off the bench early in the second half to help United offensively, but he hardly stamped his authority on the game. Losing possession cheaply on a number of occasions, Fellaini looked clumsy and did not create any sort of impact.
Memphis - 4/10
The Dutch sensation replaced Juan Mata and was thrown in his favorite position on the left. Apart from a bit of pace, Memphis looked average in the time he was on the pitch.
Ander Herrera - N/A
The Spaniard came late in the dying moments of the game to help out United defensively.