Manchester United 1-0 CSKA Moscow: Player Ratings
Wayne Rooney ended Manchester United’s 405 minute goal drought with a thumping header to give the Reds all three points against a stubborn CSKA Moscow side on Tuesday night.
United were again made to work hard to find a breakthrough and just when it seemed that the Old Trafford faithful’s wait for a goal would persist, Rooney turned in a fantastic cross by Jesse Lingard.
The youngster was one of United’s stellar players on the night with the victory propelling United to the top of their group, within just 3 points of qualification for the Round of 16.
Below are the player ratings for an impressive night at Old Trafford for The Reds:
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Starting Eleven:
GK. Manchester United. DAVID DE GEA. 7. Positioned himself excellently to deny Seydou Doumbia when the Ivorian was clear through on goal. Apart from that, the Spaniard was largely untroubled for majority of the game.
RB. Manchester United. ASHLEY YOUNG. 6.5. Another solid showing at right back by the orthodox winger. Deserved an assist after some immaculate crosses into the box. Didn’t shirk from his defensive duties and showed impressive positioning to intercept several CSKA balls. Put a stain on all his good work with a needless dive late on in the game.
8. Towering performance from the Englishman who effortlessly nullified any threats towards his goal. Growing into a natural leader of this side and showed great determination to get back and make a superb goal-line block to deny Doumbia a certain goal.. CB. Manchester United. CHRIS SMALLING
Manchester United. DALEY BLIND. 7. Ably supported Smalling in the heart of defence and customary of the Dutchman, read the game well to snuff out most CSKA attacks. Played some wonderful balls forward in order to kickstart United plays, impressive performance overall.. CB
LB. Manchester United. MARCOS ROJO. 7. Atoned for his disastrous performance in Moscow with a stellar showing on the left. With CSKA defending deep, the Argentine constantly pushed forward and played some inviting balls into the box. Formed a good partnership with Lingard with some neat one-two’s between the pair. Got himself into good scoring opportunities only to be let down by his finishing.
7. Played with more intensity and a higher tempo than we’ve seen in United colours. Looked to get the ball forward and made a few intelligent forward runs when not picked up by the CSKA defence. The highlight being a terrific dash from the halfway line bypassing three CSKA defenders.. CM. Manchester United. BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
Ran the show for United with the Englishman displaying his range of passing throughout the ninety minutes. Pulled the strings from midfield and constantly tried to play in United’s attackers. However, passing was sloppy at times, giving away possession quite needlessly. Played an incredible pass to Lingard over the CSKA defence in the build up to the goal.. CM. Manchester United. MICHAEL CARRICK. 7.5
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6. Surprisingly quiet day for the Spaniard who struggled to get himself into the game. Played some neat passes in and around the final third but the game largely passed by him. Replaced by Memphis in the final twenty minutes.. RM. Manchester United. JUAN MATA
8. Tremendous performance by the youngster who constantly looked to attack the CSKA defence. Ran at defenders at every given opportunity in an attempt to probe an opening. Blasted one shot well over but never lost his confidence and played a sublime one touch cross into Rooney for the lone goal of the game.. LM. Manchester United. JESSE LINGARD
FWD. Manchester United. ANTHONY MARTIAL. 6.5. United’s most dangerous attacker this season, but today was not the Frenchman’s day. Was double-marked by CSKA players on every occasion he got the ball with little of what he tried coming off. Displayed his strength to hold off several defenders though before succumbing to the majority. Nevertheless, his pace and unpredictability is United’s most dangerous asset when they attack.
Played in behind Martial with the United captain thriving in a deeper role. Played some impressive diagonal passes to shift United’s point of attacks. Unfortunately got the ball stuck in his feet with the goal at his mercy but redeemed himself and finally ended his goal drought by scoring a thumping header to grab all three points for the Reds. Could this finally kickstart the beleaguered Englishman’s season?. FWD. Manchester United. WAYNE ROONEY. 6.5
Next: Rooney: We deserved all 3 points vs CSKA
Substitutes:
Replaced Martial to a raucous crowd who were disappointed to see their mercurial forward depart with the game still at a stalemate. Van Gaal’s ‘Plan B’ didn’t make much of an impact and gave away some reckless fouls.. FWD. Manchester United. MAROUANE FELLAINI. 5.5
MEMPHIS DEPAY. 5. Brought on for Mata but wasn’t able to impose himself on the game. Overhit a free kick and a cross from promising positions which probably sums up his current slump at Old Trafford.. LM. Manchester United
5. Came on for Schweinsteiger in the final few minutes to freshen up the midfield with an extra set of legs. Had no time to make any sort of impact on the game.. CM. Manchester United. ANDER HERRERA