The initial cross is cleared but the follow up finds Berezutski in the box, who can only head wide of Romero's right-hand post.
90' +1
K. Khosonov enters the game and replaces K. Nababkin.
CSKA win a free-kick just over the halfway line, but it is an opportuntiy on the set-piece for the away side to get bodies in the box.
Kirill Nababkin is replaced by Khetag Khosonov in CSKA's final change of the evening.
90'
The fourth official has indicated three minutes of additional time.
88'
CSKA looking for an equaliser but United are having none of it. A sea of red shirts besets the away side and the final pass is cleared away time after time.
85'
Mata shows brilliant footwork to get United on the front foot but he can't find a way to work the ball to either Rashford or Martial and the CSKA players get back in numbers.
82'
T. Zhamaletdinov enters the game and replaces Vitinho.
Vitinho is replaced by Timur Zhamaletdinov.
Substitute Zhamaletdinov tries to take on Blind on the right of the United box, but the Dutchman stands his ground well and comes away with the ball. United have defended well this afternoon, with the only exception being the CSKA's goal at the end of the first half.
80'
CSKA try to find their way forward but the final pass was lacking. They've been chasing shadows for the majority of this half and they are starting to look a little tired.
78'
A short delay as Luke Shaw goes to ground with what looks like cramp. He seems like he will be ok though after treatment on the touchline.
75'
There's been nothing much in attack for either side since Rashford's goal, but Pogba finds space outside the CSKA box to try his luck from range. It curls high over the crossbar though.
74'
A. Martial enters the game and replaces R. Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku is replaced by Anthony Martial for the final 15 minutes or so.
Minute
Description
73'
S. McTominay gets yellow.
Substitute Scott McTominay is booked for a foul on Golovin.
72'
A. Tuanzebe enters the game and replaces A. Valencia.
Antonio Valencia is replaced, likely with the upcoming Manchester derby in mind. Axel Tuanzebe will get a chance to make his mark.
70'
United have found renewed confidence after that quickfire two-goals and they are moving the ball about with ease. This could get worse for CSKA.
66'
A. Gordyushenko enters the game and replaces F. Chalov.
M. Rashford has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by Mata.
S. McTominay enters the game and replaces Ander Herrera.
Assist Juan Manuel Mata García
GOAL! Just over a minute later and United have their lead! Mata chipped the ball into the box for Rashford, who showed excellent control to bring the ball down and fire it low into the bottom right corner. Well taken goal from Rashford and United are back in control.
Ander Herrera is off, to be replaced by Scott McTominay.
First change for CSKA Moscow as well, as Fedor Chalov is replaced by Astemir Gordyushenko.
64'
R. Lukaku has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by P. Pogba.
Paul Pogba chips a brilliant pass into the box towards Lukaku, who makes no mistake in firing in the equaliser.
GOAL! United find their breakthrough and Romelu Lukaku finally breaks his goalscoring drought. CSKA looked to have squashed out all the spaces for United to attack but Pogba had other ideas. The Frenchman chipped a beautifully lofted pass towards Lukaku in the box, who volleyed it beyond Akinfeev who could do nothing about it. Game on!
62'
The entire CSKA team are camped in their own half now as United poke and probe, trying to find an opening behind this packed defence.
59'
Mata dummies the free-kick on the edge of the box before Rashford's effort deflects off the edge of the wall and out for a corner. CSKA eventually clear it.
57'
V. Berezutskiy gets yellow.
Vasili Berezutski is booked for a foul on Pogba.
55'
This one also comes to nothing. United do get a second opportunity though and Mata's chipped cross towards the back post is a good one, but Chris Smalling is unable to make good enough contact to direct it goalwards.
54'
Blind stands over another United corner, they've not really threatened much from their set pieces so far.
52'
Aleksandr Golovin tries to take on Shaw for pace but he is no match for the speedy wing-back, who muscles him off the ball and recovers possession for United.
50'
A tame start to the second half. United showing no real sense of urgency to find a goal and it is not surprising considering their situation in the group. the emphasis remains on CSKA to extend their lead and secure the three points to have any hope of qualifying.
47'
United with their first attack of the second half and it comes through Rashford. The forward makes a nuisance of himself on the right of the CSKA box before firing a powerful effort towards the near post. Akinfeev is well positioned to parry it away though.
46'
We're back underway here at Old Trafford, can CSKA see off United for the three points? We're about to find out...
45'
Vitinho has scored a goal for CSKA Moscow! Assist by M. Fernandes.
GOAL! United switch off and Mario Fernandes is allowed acres of space on the right wing. He takes his time to get to the byline before pulling the ball back towards the centre of the box. Vitinho toe-pokes it towards goal but it needs the help of a ricochet off the back of teammate Alan Dzagoev to divert it into the net. There were strong claims from the United defenders for an offside decision, but the referee waved them away.
Vitinho is credited with the assist as his toe-poked shot is diverted into the back of the net by Dzagoev.
43'
The game has gone a bit flat as we approach half-time. Jose Mourinho will be happier of the two managers at the break, as CSKA have rarely threatened his side.
40'
Rashford's pass was cut out but United earn themselves a corner, which is comfortably dealt with by the CSKA defenders.
39'
Another CSKA corner as they are starting to regain a little control in the game. It is poor once again and there is a chance here for United to break...
37'
United play themselves into trouble and Mata is the guilty culprit. The Spaniard pokes the ball back into the box but there is not a enough on the pass, and Chalov latches onto it. He holds the ball up well but is unable to find a teammate with the lay-off and the danger is eventually cleared. Poor decision from Mata.
34'
Lukaku with another surge forward. This time he gets to the byline before pulling the ball across the face of goal but it is once again behind the run of Rashford.
31'
At the other end and CSKA have a chance of their own following a corner. Vasili Berezutski walks onto the cross and fires a volley goalward but it is narrowly wide of the right post. That was probably the best chance CSKA have created so far.
30'
Lindelof now getting involved in the attacking action. The centre-back drives to the edge of the box and tries to slot a pass into the box, but no one made the run to match it.
27'
Rashford does well to create space for himself outside the CSKA box. He spots the run of Lukaku but his pass is far too heavy and rolls straight to Akinfeev.
26'
Vitinho is given a little too much space on the edge of the United box, but his swerving effort flies over the crossbar.
24'
CSKA seeing only 38% of possession so far this half. They started strongly and full of intent but United's superior quality, especially in attack, has started to show.
22'
Another chance goes begging for United. Pogba slots a wonderful pass into the left of the box for Shaw. The left-back fires it across the face of goal first-time but Rashford just can't get there quick enough to fire it home.
20'
More great build up from the home side and a goal looks a matter of when rather than if at the moment. Pogba, Mata and Antonio Valencia link up brilliantly on the right wing to work space on the right of the box. Valencia's cross torwards the far post is met with a volley by Shaw. Akinfeev saves and Lukaku cannot generate enough power on the loose ball to guide it home.
18'
The corner comes to nothing and the second move forward breaks down with Pogba on the left wing. CSKA come forward on the counter but Alan Dzagoev's pass on the left wing is wayward and rolls straight into the feet of Victor Lindelof.
16'
Another United corner. Mourinho's side are starting to take control of this game now and CSKA can do nothing but defend in numbers and hope for a chance on the counter.
14'
Rashford is back on his feet and ok after going down holding his head. United almost carve out another chance through the young English forward as he finds space in the left of the box, but his low effort towards the far corner is well saved by Akinfeev.
12'
CSKA attempt to work their way into the United box but Kuchaev cannot find his way beyond Smalling. Vitinho then receives the ball on the edge of the box and finds space to try an effort from range, but his low rolling shot is straight into the arms of Romero.
10'
Blind tries an acrobatic effort from the left of the CSKA box, which hits off the head of a defender and out for their second successive corner. In fairness to Blind, it looked like it was flying into the top corner without that intervention.
9'
Vitinho's first corner is poor, being comfortably cleared near the front post. He gets a second opportunity but once again the cross fails to the trouble the United defenders.
8'
CSKA earn the first corner of the game, Vitinho to take.
6'
Lukaku showing his potency in attack once again with an excellent drive down the right wing. His low cross towards the edge of the six yard box is just slightly behind Rashford, with Shaw's follow up shot being blocked.
4'
Close! Manchester United show just how dangerous they can be on the counter-attack after a wonderful team move. Romelu Lukaku showed brilliant control on his chest to bring the ball down in midfield and drive towards the CSKA box. He played Rashford in, one on one with goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, but he could only steer his low shot into the far post.
2'
CSKA pressing quickly in midfield, not allowing the home side any time to control the ball and pick a pass. A start full of clear intent from the Russian side.
1'
CSKA Moscow get us underway, kicking right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Champions League Group Stage game between Manchester United and CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s qualification to the last-16 of this competition is all but secured heading into tonight’s fixture, despite their late defeat to Basel on match day five. The Red Devils would fail to progress with a defeat by more than six goals, and only need to draw to secure their status as group winners. With a top of the table clash against Manchester City to contend with at the weekend, Jose Mourinho will be widely expected to make some changes for CSKA Moscow’s visit.
David de Gea will be given the night off with Sunday’s Premier League fixture in mind, with Sergio Romero confirmed to start in goal and Joel Pereira taking his place on the bench. Defenders Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and midfielders Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic will all be missing through injury, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be rested as well. Midfielder Paul Pogba is expected to start since he will be unable to feature in the Manchester Derby after his red card against Arsenal, while left-back Luke Shaw could feature, who last made an appearance at the end of October.
CSKA Moscow are still in with a chance of qualifying themselves tonight, but they will have to rely on some help from Benfica to help their cause. The Russian side have to better Basel’s result against Benfica in the other game of this group to secure their place in the last-16. CSKA won their away games against Basel and Benfica by a 2-1 scoreline and a continuation of that run could be enough to see them through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Viktor Goncharenko has a few absentees heading into tonight’s visit to Old Trafford, with defensive duo Aleksei Berezutski and Georgi Schennikov out injured. Midfielders Pontus Wernbloom and Bibras Natcho will be suspended for this fixture, while Georgi Milanov is a doubt.
There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…
Manchester United XI: (3-4-1-2): Romero; Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Valencia, Pogba, Herrera, Shaw; Mata; Lukaku, Rashford.
Manchester United Substitutes: Pereira, Martial, Lingard, Young, Darmian, Tuanzebe, McTominay.
There are six changes to the Manchester United side that beat Arsenal 3-1 at the weekend. Sergio Romero takes the place of David de Gea in goal as expected, as well as Paul Pogba starting in midfield. Daley Blind replaces Marcus Rojo defence, while Ashley Young is replaced on the left-wing by Luke Shaw. Up front, Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata come into the side in place of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.
For CSKA Moscow, there are only two changes from the side that defeated FC Tonso 6-0 in the Russian Premier League on Friday. Konstantin Kuchaev replaces Bibras Natcho in midfield, while Fedor Chalov takes the spot of Pontus Wernbloom in the forward line, both changes of which are due to injury.
The two sides are lining up on the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 CSKA MOSCOW.
Jose Mourinho will be frustrated and rightly so. Manchester United were in total control throughout the first-half and had created a number of chances to go ahead. Rashford hit the post in the opening minute and it required a wonderful reaction save from Akinfeev to deny Shaw on the volley, with Lukaku failing to divert the rebound. CSKA then scored with what was the last meaningful kick of the game as United switched off defensively, allowing Fernandes far too much on the right wing to pull the ball back towards Vitinho to shoot, with his effort deflecting into the net off the back of teammate Alan Dzagoev, while replays suggested strong claims for offside. CSKA have 45 minutes to secure what could be a very important three points in the race for second place.
The players are coming back out onto the pitch, ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 CSKA MOSCOW.
CSKA tried to hang on to their slender lead but in the end, Manchester United just had too much for them. Paul Pogba's brilliant chipped pass allowed Lukaku to equalise before Rashford drilled home the quickfire second to secure the lead and what proved to be the three points. CSKA created only one real opportunity in the second half but were largely subdued by a well organised and well disciplined United defence. Basel's victory against Benfica meant that CSKA would have had to beat United by at least five goals to leapfrog Basel, and it proved to be a task too hard to handle. United, however, join Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea as one of the four English clubs in the Champions League knockout stages, with Liverpool able to join them should they win or draw tomorrow.
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