Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League Group A encounter between Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk at Old Trafford. The hosts may have already qualified for the next round but there is still a lot to play for this evening, so let's get straight down to business.

We'll start by looking at our hosts tonight, and while all of us look forward to Champions League nights, manager David Moyes may have more reason than most to do so. The competition has provided a welcome relief for the Scot so far this season as he continues to struggle domestically having taken over from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer.

The Red Devils currently sit in the very unfamiliar place of ninth in the Premier League table, already 13 points off league leaders Arsenal after 15 games. They have amassed just 22 points from those 15 matches, a tally 14 below the amount they had at the same stage last season.

The invincibility of United seems to have evaporated with the retirement of Ferguson and, while Moyes would have known it wasn't going to be easy stepping in to such big shoes, I'm sure he would have envisioned it going a bit better than it has so far. They have lost a third of their matches in the Premier League so far this season, winning just six and drawing the remaining four - figures simply not good enough for a club of their stature.

However, they will firmly be putting their domestic form to one side this evening as they focus on the Champions League which, as I mentioned earlier, has been a welcome distraction for them this season. They come into tonight's game in the privileged position of already having qualified for the next round, although this game is far from a meaningless match for David Moyes's side.

A draw would be enough to see United finish as group winners, a position that could be invaluable to further progress considering that Real Madrid, PSG, and Atletico Madrid have already confirmed the same status, while the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona are likely to follow. Should they lose tonight, they would finish as runners-up and could face a very tricky tie in the next round.

United are unbeaten in the competition so far this season, winning three and drawing two of their five games. Their last outing saw them produce a stunning 5-0 victory away to Bayer Leverkusen, who many people were tipping to topple the Red Devils going into the match. They have scored the most goals in Group A with 11, while their defence is also the best in the group having conceded just three times.

However, in general terms, they do not come into this match in good form. They have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions - that 5-0 victory over Leverkusen - while their last two results have both been 1-0 defeats at Old Trafford. Their home record may well be cause for some concern having only won five of their 12 games in front of their own fans this season.

The defeats to Everton and Newcastle respectively were their first back-to-back league losses at home since May 2002. Should they lose again this evening, it would be the first time that they have lost three in a row at Old Trafford since way back in 1962 - 51 years ago. For a team with the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, it is surprising that scoring goals has been a bit of a problem at Old Trafford too, with the Red Devils only finding the net eight times in their last eight home games.

Home defeats to Cluj and Real Madrid hurt Manchester United in the Champions League last season, but this time around they have won both of their matches so far and have kept clean sheets in their last three games in the competition. Interestingly, United have not won all three of their home Champions League group games since 2007-08, when they went on to win the competition.

They aren't exactly facing some minnows of European football this evening, however. Shakhtar have established themselves as a very dangerous side and the fact that they still have a chance to win the group is testament to that. To do that, however, they will need to do something that they have never managed before and win in England. In five attempts, Shakhtar have only managed to come away from England with one draw, losing the other four games.

The permutations for the visitors are quite simple tonight. They simply have to equal or better Bayer Leverkusen's score against Real Sociedad and they will be through. A win will guarantee progress (as group winners), while a draw or a defeat would open the door for Leverkusen to overtake them and move into the final qualifying berth.

They come into tonight's game in very good form having broken up for their domestic winter break last Tuesday. They are currently five points clear at the top of the Ukrainian Premier League despite being 10 points worse off this season than they were at the same stage of the last campaign. They are also the league's top scorers having netted 45 times. Despite those impressive figures, this is in fact Shakhtar's worst points return in the league since 2008-09, when they last failed to win the title.

They are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions - including winning each of their last four - and have not conceded a goal during that time. They last time a team managed to breach the Shakhtar defence was on November 1, when Volyn beat them 2-0 in the league.

One worry for the visitors today is that they don't travel very well in this competition. They have only won three of their last 10 Champions League away matches, and those results came against APOEL, Nordsjaelland and Real Sociedad - all teams that they would have expected to beat. Their last away match in this competition saw them thumped 4-0 by Leverkusen.

Their record against English teams is fairly mixed, although they haven't had much joy on their trips here as I alluded to earlier. Despite never winning on these shores, Shakhtar have never failed to score against an English club in 11 meetings, seven of which have come in the Champions League. With a United defence struggling to keep clean sheets at the moment, the visitors will certainly fancy their chances of keeping that record up tonight.

TEAM NEWS: Right, it's about time I brought you some team news I think! Moyes was expected to rest a few players for the match with qualification already in the bag, but he has still named some quality in his side, most notable Wayne Rooney leading the line. Evra, Vidic, Smalling and Fellaini all missed training yesterday and none of them make the starting lineup, while Kagawa does return having missed the Newcastle game through illness. Full team news for both teams coming right up...

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Büttner; Young, Giggs, Jones, Januzaj; Kagawa, Rooney

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Anderson, Cleverley, Nani, Valencia, Hernandez, van Persie

SHAKHTAR STARTING XI: Pyatov; Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Fred, Stepanenko, Douglas Costa, Teixeira, Bernard; Adriano

SHAKHTAR SUBS: Kanibolotskiy, Kryvtsov, Fernando, Hübschman, Bernard, Eduardo, Ferreyra

So, what can we make of those teams? Well it is no real surprise to see Moyes name quite a cautious lineup, not risking any of the players who had been rated as doubtful for the match. His side only need a point from tonight, remember, and there should be enough quality and experience in that side to manage that at home to Shakhtar.

The evergreen Ryan Giggs will extend his own Champions League appearance record as he starts alongside the versatile Phil Jones in midfield. On the flanks will be Ashley Young, who is still looking to earn a regular starting spot in the team, and Adnan Januzaj, who has shown such promise as such a young age but has struggled to keep up his very impressive early form in recent weeks.

Shinji Kagawa will pull the strings just behind the main dangerman who is, of course, Wayne Rooney. The England international has been one of the few positives to come out of United so far this season, responding to constant speculation over his future during the summer with a string of fine performances. He is already the top scoring English player in Champions League history with 29 goals, and that is a record that he will look to extend this evening. Should he fail to make an impact, Moyes has the choice of bringing on Robin van Persie, who starts on the bench. Not a bad change to be able to make, hey?

As for Shakhtar, their main threats come through their Brazilians. The teams is basically built on Ukrainian defenders and the attacking flair of Brazilians in midfield and up front. It is a system that seems to have worked well for them this season, with all seven of their Champions League goals being scored by Brazilian players.

Luiz Adriano and Alex Teixeira will cause the United defence plenty of problems and they will certainly be buoyed by the absences of influential duo Vidic and Evra in the back line. United will also be fully aware of the threat that Taison poses after he scored the equalising goal to earn a point for Shakhtar in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

While they can't quite match the experience of a Ryan Giggs, Shakhtar have their own grizzled veteran in the shape of Croatian right-back Dario Srna. He likes to get forward down the right flank and, while his opportunities may be more limited than usual tonight, he will look to test Buttner whenever he can.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff here so it is about time I made my prediction for this match. United have been impressive in the Champions League so far this season, but their domestic form must be playing on their minds a little. Two home defeats in a row has turned the 'Theatre of Dreams' into more of a 'Theatre of Nightmares', and Shakhtar certainly won't be intimidated coming to Old Trafford tonight. However, with United knowing that they need at least a point to top the group, I don't see Shakhtar winning this one. I'm going to go for a 1-1 draw.

While Shakhtar have never beaten and English team in England, United have never lost to a Ukrainian team in the Champions League. They have played five matches against opposition from Ukraine, winning three and drawing two.

There are plenty more Champions League matches taking place tonight, and I will keep you up to date with goals and major events from around the continent as and when they happen. Alternatively, you can click here to see some of the matches we have on offer for you tonight, all being covered live.

Shakhtar may well take inspiration from looking at recent results at Old Trafford from this season. They are looking to break a duck having never won in England, and Old Trafford seems to be the place to end such records of late. Everton, Newcastle and West Brom have all won here this season having gone a long time without doing so beforehand.

The players are out on the field ahead of this huge night of Champions League football. Shakhtar will be fighting for their lives tonight and will not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to Leverkusen's result against Sociedad. United, meanwhile, don't only need a point to finish top - they also need to prove a point after a torrid run of form by their own high standards.

KICKOFF! Shakhtar get us underway at Old Trafford in a match they need to win to guarantee their place in the next round. United, meanwhile, can't really afford a third consecutive home defeat.

It has been a decent opening to the match, with Shakhtar immediately going on the attack only to be rebuffed by the United defence. The hosts responded with an attack of their own, but Buttner just overcooked his cross and Rafael couldn't make the most of possession having collected it at the back post.

Moyes will be delighted to hear United fans still chanting his name in these early stages. After so many years of being spoilt by Ferguson's success you could perhaps understand if the United fans became disgruntled at their recent form, but the fans seem to be sticking by their manager.

SAVE! Phil Jones plays a one-two with Rafael on the right before showing good pace and strength to burst into the box. He goes for goal from a very tight angle, drawing a save from Pyatov, but the ball rebounds back off the United man and out for a goal kick.

UPDATE: The first goal of the night has gone the way of Bayern Munich, who have taken an early lead against Manchester City in the Allianz Arena. Thomas Muller got that goal, and the Germans look like they will comfortably win that group with maximum points.

Shakhtar have their first shot on target, but it is an easy one for De Gea. Fred went for goal from 25 yards out but never really caught the ball right as it bounced tamely into the United keeper's arms.

United have made a very solid start to this match, taking control of possession early on and looking hard to break down whenever they do give it away. Shakhtar, meanwhile, are happy to let the hosts have the ball most of the time, but they are looking to break quickly when they do win it back.

CHANCE! Shakhtar come so close to taking the lead! It was one of those quick breaks that caused the problem, with Teixeira being played in after Januzaj had given the ball away. Evans came across to challenge the Brazilian, who sent a low shot a whisker past the far post. De Gea was beaten there.

UPDATE: Can anyone stop Bayern this season? Man City certainly don't seem able to. It is now 2-0 to the Germans at the Allianz Arena, with Mario Gotze getting his side's second after less than quarter of an hour.

Giggs slides a fairly aimlessly ball into the channel but Rooney makes the most of it, putting pressure on the defence and eventually winning a corner from it. All of his hard work is wasted, however, when Young fails to beat the first man with his delivery.

SAVE! Brilliant from Januzaj as he chests down a high ball inside the box before hammering a shot towards goal on the turn. It is straight at the keeper, however, and Pyatov punches the powerful effort away. It was a good strike from the youngster, but he should have never been afforded such room in the box, that was poor defending.

Douglas Costa does really well on the right as he holds off Buttner's rash challenge before cutting inside and racing at the United defence. He goes for goal from around 25 yards, but he is never going to beat De Gea at the near post from there and the United keeper watches it bounce a couple of yards wide.

Shakhtar are starting to find their feet here and are certainly holding their own in this match at the moment. United are not having things all their own way and, apart from Januzaj's effort, have not really looked like scoring yet.

Costa pops up on the left wing this time and finds enough space to whip a peach of a delivery into the middle that Adriano just can't reach as it flashes across the face of goal. That only needed the slightest of touches.

Lovely football from Shakhtar on the edge of the United box as Adriano and Douglas Costa link up. The former tees up the latter, but his powerful low strike from 20 yards is blocked by his own man and United are able to hack the ball away.

Giggs gets away with one there. The veteran is caught in possession deep inside his own half and the visitors immediately swarm forward in numbers. It is a good attacking platform, but Costa wastes it with a poor delivery into the area.

CHANCE! Great run from Teixeira as he picks the ball up on the halfway line before taking on three United players on his way into the box. He finally creates enough space to shoot, but after doing everything so well up until that point his effort is weak and easy for De Gea.

UPDATE: The goals aren't exactly flying in around Europe tonight, but Real Madrid have taken the lead against FC Copenhagen in Denmark, Luka Modric getting the goal. Man City have also pulled a goal back in Munich through David Silva. It is now 2-1 to Bayern in that match.

Shakhtar have another good attacking platform but once again their final ball lets them down and United eventually scramble to clear the danger. The hosts launch the counter attack and Januzaj is hacked down 30 yards from goal, giving them a free kick right on the edge of shooting range. Rooney will fancy this one...

CLOSE! Half the ground think that it's in! Rooney goes around the wall and gets terrific bend on the ball to almost bring it back inside the post. Instead, it ripples the outside of the side netting and the United fans who are wildly celebrating the goal quickly quieten down when they realise that they've been fooled.

CHANCE! Poor from Ferdinand as he gives the ball away to Teixeira in a dangerous area. The Brazilian sprints away from the veteran defender and pulls the ball back into the box, just behind Adriano. Fred is coming in behind his compatriot but completely scuffs his shot, allowing Ferdinand to atone for his error and clear.

United are giving the ball away far too often here and they are comfortably second best at the moment. Shakhtar have attacked quickly and in numbers, and United simply haven't been able to deal with them at times. The only thing that is lacking for the visitors at the moment is the final ball.

CHANCE! Oh what a chance for United to take the lead against the run of play. Giggs plays a poor ball forward but Srna fails to deal with it, allowing Young to steal the ball and find himself in on goal. He has Rooney to his right and could give the England striker a simple tap-in, but instead chooses to lift the ball over the keeper only to see it bounce a yard or so wide. That was a real chance to break the deadlock.

UPDATE: The goals are starting to flow now. Olympiacos took the lead against Anderlecht through Javier Saviola but the Belgians have just equalised to make it 1-1 in Greece. Elsewhere, PSG have taken the lead against Benfica through Cavani.

United have done well to just settle things down now. They were on the back foot for around 15 minutes in the middle of this half but are now easing their way back into it and coping with the free-flowing attacking football that Shakhtar had been playing. The hosts aren't looking particularly threatening, but it is certainly an improvement from how they have been playing for most of the half.

CHANCE! That is really poor from Young, who has had United's best two chances to break the deadlock so far. The winger was slipped in by Rooney and controlled the ball before slicing a left-footed shot a long way wide when he should have at least hit the target. That was really bad.

No stoppage time at the end of the first half as the referee blows his whistle to signal the end of the opening 45 minutes. It has been a decent game but will have done nothing to repair United's broken confidence. They were second best for much of the half and are lucky not to be behind. Had Shakhtar had a better final product, it almost certainly wouldn't still be 0-0.

That being said, United have had arguably the best two chances of the match so far. Both fell to Ashley Young and, while the first miss was slightly unlucky, the second was simply a terrible finish as he rushed his shot and slicked it a long way wide. It could be argued that he should have given the ball to Rooney with the first chance, but you can see why he went for goal himself, lifting it over the keeper and just past the post.

At the other end, Shakhtar have caused United plenty of problems, with their Brazilian attackers running riot at times. Teixeira and Douglas Costa have had a couple of good moments each but they are just lacking the killer touch. Fred has also had a couple of sights of goal, but the young midfielder has also been guilty of wasting a few good positions.

Perhaps the most worrying aspect of that first half for United and David Moyes is that there doesn't seem to be any reaction from the players to their consecutive home defeats. There is a distinct lack of passion and desire, with Shakhtar noticeably quicker to the ball on a number of occasions than the hosts. For large parts of that first half it looked as if Shakhtar were the home side.

United may only need a point from this match to secure top spot in the group - and from that perspective it is so far so good for David Moyes's side - but a good performance would really lift the spirits around the club, which is something that you feel they really need after their recent form. Their performance so far this evening has been uninspiring and lacklustre.

From Shakhtar's point of view, they will be unhappy that they weren't able to take full advantage of their periods of dominance in that first half. It is not often that you get such a long time in the ascendancy at Old Trafford, and United will surely respond in the second half, so with the visitors needing a win to guarantee progress they will be kicking themselves that they didn't take the lead. It is still goalless in Spain, however, so as things stand Shakhtar are still going through.

KICKOFF: Manchester United get us back underway for the second half, and they will be hoping for a much-improved performance in the upcoming 45 minutes.

OFF THE POST! Almost a dream start to the second half for Shakhtar! United fail to deal with a poor low corner into the box and the ball runs through to Rakitskiy, who sweeps it towards the bottom corner. A combination of Jones and Evans get a vital touch to the shot, diverting on to the outside of the post on its way out for another corner.

Good response from United as they go up the other end and win a couple of corners of their own in quick succession. Once again the delivery by Young is poor, however, and the visitors clear the danger without too much fuss.

United get a free kick in a good crossing position after Srna handballed Januzaj's cross. Again Young stands over it and this time his delivery is slightly better, forcing the keeper to punch it away from danger.

CHANCE! Good chance for the hosts as Kagawa just nips in to get to the ball in front of the keeper. He lays it back to Giggs who looks for Rooney in the middle instead of going for goal himself. He tries to just roll the ball across to his striker but doesn't put enough on it and the defence get it clear.

Taison won't want to see that one again. Adriano steals the ball off Jones in the middle and releases the winger down the right. Just as the Brazilian is winding up to hammer a shot towards goal he kicks the ground first and falls over as the ball trickles out for a goal kick. Cue the mocking cries of delight from the stands.

UPDATE: Bad news for Shakhtar - Leverkusen have taken the lead against Real Sociedad. That means that, as things stand, the Ukrainian side will be eliminated from the competition. Elsewhere, Real Madrid have doubled their lead against FC Copenhagen through Cristiano Ronaldo.

This second half is shaping up much like the first did. The visitors are on top and looking like the home side, while United are being limited to the odd counter attack at the moment. Should the news of Leverkusen's goal filter onto the pitch then I'm sure Shakhtar will push even harder for the opener.

SAVE! That's more like it from United. Rooney slides Young in down the left flank and the winger produces a fine ball into the box for Kagawa to attack. Rakitskiy puts his head right where Kagawa's boot is but still can't get there as the Japan international steers it towards the bottom corner. Pyatov gets across really well to make a fine stop, though.

CLOSE! A stroke of genius from Rooney almost lights this game up. He spots the keeper off his line from 25 yards and goes for a delightful chip that sends Pyatov scrambling back towards his own goal. He eventually gives up and is thankful to see Rooney's strike clip the top of the netting after sailing narrowly over the bar.

This has been United's best spell of the match so far and they look most likely to score at the moment - the first time I've been able to say that this evening. It comes just as Cleverley and Van Persie are about to come on, but the duo have been forced to wait patiently on the sideline for the last few minutes.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Here is that double change for United as Van Persie and Cleverley replace Young and Giggs. The United fans greeted Young's departure with cheers there, obviously unhappy with the winger's contributions in this game and so far this season.

SHAKHTAR SUB: The visitors make a change of their own as Bernard comes on in place of Taison. That is a Brazilian on for a Brazilian.

Great defending from Kucher as he reaches out a leg to make a vital interception and diverting the ball back to his keeper. It was Cleverley's pass that looked destined for Van Persie, but Kuchev stretched every sinew to reach that one.

United take the lead! Shakhtar fail to clear a Van Persie corner into the box and it runs all the way through to Jones having also been missed by Jonny Evans. The defender/midfielder fires it past Pyatov, finishing the chance like a proven striker. United have deserved that goal for their improved performance in the past 10 minutes or so, but you have to say that Shakhtar don't really deserve to be losing this one.

That really is a hammer blow to the visitors. As things stand they now need two goals in order to progress to the next round, or they need Sociedad to score twice against Leverkusen.

YELLOW CARD! Buttner becomes the first player in the book for a late and heavy tackle on Srna. He can have no complaints there, it was a poor challenge.

UPDATE: It is turning into quite a night for Manchester. City have incredibly turned things around at the Allianz Arena and now lead Bayern Munich 3-2 having been 2-0 down after less than 15 minutes. Elsewhere, Benfica, Olympiacos and CSKA Moscow have all taken the lead in their respective matches, while Anderlecht and CSKA have also been reduced to 10 men.

It's amazing what a goal can do for a team, isn't it? Having been second best for much of the match United are now looking comfortable in possession and seem capable of soaking up any pressure that Shakhtar apply. Under Ferguson one of United's most notorious traits was the ability to win when not playing at their best, and it looks like they may do exactly that tonight.

Nice football from United on the edge of the box as Kagawa and Rooney link up before the latter tries to find Cleverley's run from deep. The pass is too heavy for the midfielder, but that was the type of move that they simply weren't able to string together earlier in this match.

YELLOW CARDS! Cleverley goes into the book for a foul and I think Srna was also shown a card in the midst of all that, perhaps for a word out of place to the referee.

Desperation is just starting to creep in for Shakhtar now. They are shooting wildly from range when earlier in the match they used the speed of their passing to play their way through the United defence. Time is running out for the visitors now, they still need two goals.

SHAKHTAR SUB: Interesting change from Lucescu as Fernando, a holding midfielder, replaces Fred in the middle of the park. You'd think it must be time to throw the kitchen sink at United soon!

YELLOW CARD! Kucher is shown a yellow card for dissent. That is two cards of that kind in recent minutes from the away side, which is a sign of their frustration creeping in.

A United corner bounces all the way across the box and to Cleverley at the far post. The England international goes for an ambitious volley on the run and makes a good connection, but he can't keep it down as it whistles a couple of yards over the bar.

Leverkusen are still leading Real Sociedad in Spain, but even with five minutes remaining Shakhtar have a chance of going through if they can find a late goal here. They need to change something soon, however, as they look out of ideas at the moment.

SAVE! The ball drops to Srna on the corner of the box and he unleashes a well-struck half-volley that flies straight into the arms of De Gea, who holds onto it well.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Buttner seems to have picked up a slight knock here and he limps off the field to be replaced by Valencia, who goes to right-back while Rafael slots in on the left.

SHAKHTAR SUB: The visitors also make a change as Adriano makes way for Facunda Ferreyra.

Good run from Bernard as he weaves past a tackle and gets onto the edge of the box. He is eventually eased off it, however, and his attempted pass falls straight to Cleverley, who immediately looks to launch a counter attack.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this match.

CHANCE! That has to go down as a really good chance for a player of Van Persie's quality. He controls a high ball on his chest and finds himself one-on-one with the keeper. He waits for Pyatov to go down before lifting the ball over him and into the side netting from a tight angle.

The referee brings an end to what was ultimately a successful night for United as they finish top of Group A with an unbeaten record, handing them what should be a much easier draw in the next round. It was by no means plain sailing tonight and they rode their luck at times, but having struggled so much in recent matches that win will feel particularly special for Moyes.

As for Shakhtar, their Champions League journey is over. They needed to better or equal Bayer Leverkusen's result tonight but the German's have triumphed 1-0 against Real Sociedad to Spain to sneak into second place in the group. The Ukrainian's will have European football after Christmas in the form of the Europa League, but they won't need telling that the Champions League is the holy grail of European tournaments.

It was not the most inspiring of performances from United but the simple fact is that they only needed one point tonight and they went and got all three, doing so without the likes of Vidic, Evra, Fellaini and Carrick. They will certainly need to improve in future rounds of the competition but they were just about good enough today.

Moyes will be particularly pleased with how his side responded to a lacklustre first-half performance. They started the second slowly as well but eased their way into it and deserved to score when they did, Phil Jones grabbing the only goal of the game in the 67th minute. After the goal they looked a lot more relaxed and composed in possession, and Moyes will be hoping that this win gives them the confidence to kick on and return to winning ways in the Premier League.

Right, that's all we have time for this evening. Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an intriguing night of Champions League football at Old Trafford. United progress to the next round as group winners with a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, who are eliminated from the competition. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to check back in for another night of European football tomorrow. Stay tuned for reaction and analysis from this match, which will be on the site shortly. Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!