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Manchester United logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 3, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
CSKA Moscow

1-0

Rooney (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Player Ratings: Manchester United 1-0 CSKA Moscow

Sports Mole looks at who stood out during Manchester United's 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in Group B of the Champions League.

Manchester United moved to the top of Champions League Group B courtesy of a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford this evening.

The hosts finally broke the deadlock with 11 minutes remaining when Wayne Rooney ended a 404-minute drought for the team by planting Jesse Lingard's cross home.

Here, Sports Mole looks at who stood out in a one-sided European encounter.


The Manchester United team pose for a group photo prior to the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Manchester United FC and PFC CSKA Moskva at Old Trafford on November 3, 2015© Getty Images

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Barely called upon at all until finding himself one on one with Doumbia and making a crucial save, although he was indebted to Smalling for stopping the second attempt. (7/10)

Defence

Ashley Young: Seems to be growing as a defensive force and still posing a threat going forward too. Delivered a few telling crosses this evening, although his good display was overshadowed somewhat by a blatant dive in the penalty area. (7/10)

Chris Smalling: Made a bit of a shaky start defensively and also bemusingly ducked under a Rooney free kick rather than going for goal. None of them proved costly, however, and his block on the line to deny Doumbia was sensational. It was as good as a goal, and proved doubly important when United took the lead moments later. (7/10)

Daley Blind: Equal to any challenge that came his way defensively, although those were few and far between this evening. Also demonstrated his passing range with a few fine long balls throughout the game. (7/10)

Marcos Rojo: Was a constant attacking threat on the left flank, getting forward whenever possible and creating chances with a number of good deliveries. Missed two gilt-edged chances himself, but played his part in the build-up to the goal by winning the ball back inside opposition territory. (7/10)

Midfield

Michael Carrick: Helped the team dominate possession, but was also careful not to slow things down too much. Played a big role in the goal with his pass over the top for Lingard. (7/10)

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Often to blame for United's slow tempo with his sideways or backwards passing, but was a lot more positive tonight. Sent more passes forward than in recent weeks and even embarked on a couple of runs himself. (7/10)

Juan Mata: Showed one or two glimpses down the right flank, but United's greatest threat came on the opposite side this evening and Mata struggled to leave his mark on the game. (6/10)

Jesse Lingard: An exciting, positive display from the youngster, who certainly wasn't lacking in confidence. His end product let him down on a number of occasions, although not for the goal as his perfect cushioned volley picked out Rooney in the middle. (7/10)

Attack

Wayne Rooney: Got the winning goal to stave off the critics for a little while longer perhaps. By no means a world-beating performance, but made more of a contribution than he has in many games this season and seemed to enjoy playing up front alongside someone. (7/10)

Anthony Martial: Back in a central role following a stint out wide left but was never really able to get into the game this evening. Sent one header straight at Akinfeev, but that was about the sum of his chances. (6/10)

Substitutes

Marouane Fellaini: The decision to replace Martial with Fellaini was greeted with boos, and the Belgian was unable to answer them with a meaningful contribution on the pitch. (6/10)

Memphis Depay: Had a couple of crossing chances with mixed success. Nothing to show Van Gaal that he should be restored to the starting XI just yet. (6/10)

Ander Herrera: Introduced as a time-wasting sub late on and had no time to make an impact. (6/10)


Manchester United's English midfielder Jesse Lingard (R) jumps a tackle by CSKA Moscow's midfielder Alan Dzagoev during a UEFA Chamions league group stage football match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west E© Getty Images

CSKA MOSCOW

Goal

Igor Akinfeev: Had surprisingly little to do considering United's dominance, with the hosts failing to really trouble the CSKA skipper until Rooney's goal, which the keeper could do nothing about. (6/10)

Defence

Mario Fernandes: An attacking force in the first leg but much quieter going forward tonight. Spent most of his time defending and had a difficult time keeping tabs on Lingard and Rojo. (5/10)

Alexei Berezutsky: Solid enough display at the heart of the defence to keep Rooney and Martial quiet for the vast majority of the game. (6/10)

Sergei Ignashevich: United did create plenty of chances tonight, but not many were clear-cut ones thanks to the presence of the experienced Ignashevich, who helped limit the influence of the front two. (6/10)

Georgi Schennikov: Picked up an early booking, but aside from that he dealt with the threat of Mata well, with his positioning helping him to keep the Spaniard quiet. (6/10)

Midfield

Alan Dzagoev: Chasing shadows for much of the match as United dominated possession. Worked hard and helped a stubborn CSKA keep their shape, but didn't have many chances to showcase his talent on the ball. (6/10)

Pontus Wernbloom: As in the first leg, protected his defence well. Had plenty of bodies around him as CSKA packed men behind the ball, and Wernbloom was right at the heart of their defensive effort as a team. (6/10)

Zoran Tosic: Made one timely challenge on Lingard to deny the youngster a chance early in the first half. Like the rest of his teammates, though, he was unable to make an impact going forward on his return to Old Trafford. (5/10)

Bibras Natcho: Pretty much anonymous during his time on the field. Spent most of it behind the ball rather than in possession of it due to United's dominance. (5/10)

Georgi Milanov: Another who failed to make a noticeable impact as CSKA offered nothing in an attacking sense for the vast majority of the match. (5/10)

Attack

Ahmed Musa: Unable to get into the game while playing in a central role, but moved out wide followed Doumbia's introduction and began to look dangerous. Has pace to burn and used that on a couple of occasions. (6/10)

Substitutes

Seydou Doumbia: There is no doubt that CSKA looked more dangerous with the striker on the field, but ultimately when his time came he fluffed his lines as first De Gea and then Smalling denied him when he really should have scored. (5/10)

Aleksandr Golovin: Replaced Tosic with 15 minutes remaining but didn't make an impact during his short cameo. (6/10)

Kirill Panchenko: Introduced five minutes from the end and had no time to change the course of the game. (6/10)


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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's third goal with his team mate Jesse Lingard during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Goodison Park on October 17, 2015
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