Manchester United made it two wins from two Group A matches after recording a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in Wednesday night's Champions League clash in Moscow.
Romelu Lukaku netted twice for the Red Devils, while Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were also on the scoresheet as the 20-time English champions thumped the Russian giants.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Russia as CSKA Moscow welcome Manchester United in Group A. Both of these teams started their group-stage campaign with wins earlier this month – CSKA beating Benfica 2-1 in Portugal, and United comfortably moving past Swiss outfit Basel at Old Trafford. What will occur tonight? Stay tuned to find out!
Tonight will mark the fifth meeting between CSKA and Man United in European competition. The English giants have won two of their previous four meetings, while CSKA are yet to overcome the Red Devils. They last locked horns during the group stage of the 2015-16 Champions League – Man United were 1-0 winners at Old Trafford, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in Khimki.
United did win 1-0 in Moscow during the 2009-10 Champions League, however, courtesy of a late goal from Antonio Valencia. That said, the last time that United were paired with CSKA in the group stages – the 2015-16 season – the 20-time English champions failed to make the knockout round.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Moscow. Both teams were in league action at the weekend – CSKA drawing 0-0 at Dinamo Moscow, while Man United recorded a 1-0 victory at Southampton. How many changes have been made? Let's see...
TEAMS!
CSKA: Akinfeev; Vasin, V.Berezutski, Ignashevich; Fernandes, Wernbloom, Golovin, Schennikov; Dzagoev; Chalov, Vitinho
UNITED: De Gea; Lindelof, Bailly, Smalling; Young, Matic, Herrera, Blind; Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Martial
The big team news from the CSKA camp is that 27-year-old full-back Mario Fernandes has been declared fit to start after overcoming a concussion. Pontus Wernbloom will be the deep-lying midfielder for the home side, while exciting Brazilian Vitinho and teenage Russian forward Fyodor Chalov are both selected in the final third. Alan Dzagoev is also in the CSKA XI tonight.
Man United boss Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has made five changes to the team that started Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton. Victor Lindelof, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, and Anthony Martial all come into the XI, with Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford dropping out. It will be a three-man central defence tonight, with Lindelof playing alongside Smalling and Eric Bailly. Ashley Young will skipper the 20-time English champions.
So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Moscow. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with United, who have made a brilliant start to the 2017-18 campaign. Indeed, Mourinho's side are currently joint-top of the Premier League, and also started their Champions League campaign with a win.
Saturday's 1-0 victory at Southampton, which was earned courtesy of another strike from Romelu Lukaku, moved Man United onto 16 points from their five league matches this season. They are only second to rivals Manchester City on goal difference, and will be confident of continuing their unbeaten start to the season when they host basement side Crystal Palace this weekend.
Man United also progressed in the EFL Cup with a 4-1 win over Championship side Burton Albion last week, while as mentioned, their Champions League Group A campaign started with a 3-0 win over Basel on September 12. In truth, it was a routine win for the Red Devils, and another three points tonight would place them in a strong position ahead of a trip to Benfica next month.
This is Man United's 21st campaign in the group stage of the Champions League, and only four times have they failed to make the knockout round. Two of those eliminations have occurred in their last four participations, but it would be a big shock if Mourinho's side failed to advance from this section.
Man United have won three, drawn seven and lost just one of their 11 meetings with Russian opposition in European competition, which includes an away record of played five, won one and drawn four. The Red Devils will also enter this match off the back of a five-match unbeaten European away record – recording three wins in the process. The omens are pretty good for the visitors.
As for CSKA, the Moscow club are in the group stage of the Champions League for an 11th time in their history, and a fifth straight season. They have actually finished bottom of their group in their last four Champions League campaigns, however, including when they were last paired with United.
That said, Russian giants CSKA have won all five of their European fixtures this term – beating Benfica 2-1 last time out, in addition to recording four victories during the qualification phase. They beat AEK Athens and Young Boys to progress to the group stage of the competition, and after starting with three points in Group A, will have their eye on a top-three finish this time around.
In terms of domestic form, CSKA will enter this match down in fourth position in the Russian Premier League. They have collected 20 points from their 11 matches – losing just three times – but are seven points off the leaders Zenit St Petersburg. Thirteen-time Russian Premier League champions, Viktor Goncharenko's side finished runners-up to Spartak Moscow last season.
Here we go then - both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff in Moscow. It is a mild night, but not freezing - with the temperature around eight degrees. Once the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be just about ready to get the action underway. Stay tuned for what should be a fascinating 90 minutes of action.
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off in Moscow...
... it must be said that the playing surface is absolutely excellent. There are no problems there. Man United are also in their grey kit tonight, which is a little bit strange! I would expect Mourinho's side to dominate the possession here, with CSKA attempting to threaten on the counter-attack.
A wonderful flick from Martial sends Mkhitaryan away, but the Armenian is crowded out in the middle of the park. Man United are enjoying a lot of the ball early on, and as expected, CSKA are committing numbers forward when they counter. Young's pace just helped his team there.
GOAL! CSKA 0-1 Man United (Lukaku)
Man United make the breakthrough in the fourth minute as Martial delivers a stunning cross into the CSKA box, and Lukaku rises above his marker to head into the bottom corner. What a header!
SAVE! Stunning save from De Gea to keep out a strike from Dzagoev!
Just eight minutes on the clock here, and plenty has happened. Man United lead courtesy of that super header from Lukaku, but Dzagoev has come close to levelling for the home side. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals as both teams continue to commit players forward.
Possession football for Man United in the last few minutes as CSKA are left to chase the ball across the pitch. It has been a brilliant start from Mourinho's side, with Martial in particular looking very impressive in the early moments. Young has also been advanced down the right for the visitors.
Mkhitaryan has a shot deflected just wide after super work from Lukaku once again.
Martial dances into the CSKA box before drilling a low cross towards Lukaku, but Fernandes is on hand to make the clearance. Man United are really threatening a second goal here.
SAVE! Incredible save from Akinfeev as the CSKA goalkeeper keeps out a close-range strike from Mkhitaryan, who really should have scored! What a stop from the Russian!
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment, and that is credit to Man United, who have been brilliant in the opening 15 minutes. Mourinho's side are in the mood tonight.
First sign of Vitinho as the Brazilian dances away from a couple of challenges, but Smalling is on hand to clear the danger. Decent spell of possession for the hosts in the last minute or two here.
Again it is Vitinho for the home side, but the Brazilian's strike hits Lindelof and bounces back before going behind for a goal kick. Still 1-0 Man United with 18 minutes on the clock in Moscow here.
PENALTY MAN UNITED!
Man United have a penalty as Mkhitaryan is brought to the ground by Schennikov!
GOAL! CSKA 0-2 Man United (Martial, pen)
Martial slides his penalty into the bottom corner for 2-0 Man United!
Martial delivers another dangerous cross into the CSKA box, but Vasin manages to head clear. The home side are in all sorts of trouble here as Man United continue to pass and probe in the final third.
CLOSE! Golovin works some space before sending one just wide of the Man United post. Better from CSKA, but the Russian side cannot seem to defend at the moment.
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as CSKA are forced to chase shadows across the field.
The CSKA supporters are doing their best to raise their team at the moment, but Man United are simply in complete control as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. Another goal for the visitors would kill the match as a contest, but CSKA would be right back in it with one of their own.
GOAL! CSKA 0-3 Man United (Lukaku)
Oh my word! Man United have their third of the night as Lukaku taps home from close range after a terrible mistake from Berezutski, who had a fresh-air shot at the near post! It is another assist for Martial, and the visitors have their third of the evening in Moscow. Game, set and match!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining in Moscow, and Man United have been brilliant. That said, the hosts CSKA have been pretty rotten, which is the nicest way to put it.
Martial's pace continues to cause this CSKA defence absolute nightmares, and just think that Rashford is in reserve tonight. The home supporters are still in decent voice, but their team cannot keep the ball at the moment, with Dzagoev the latest to lose possession in a forward position.
It has been so, so comfortable for Bailly, Smalling and Lindelof tonight.
SAVE! Akinfeev is down to keep out a powerful strike from Lukaku!
SAVE! Super save from De Gea as the Man United goalkeeper keeps out a decent strike from Chalov, who had worked some space inside the penalty box. De Gea is exceptional.
Mkhitaryan, Martial and Lukaku have all been brilliant in this first period. Martial looks to break into the CSKA box after an exchange with Herrera, but Vasin does just about enough to make the clearance. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, and the away side lead 3-0.
Man United have had the ball for what seems like the last 30 minutes. Incredible.
BOOKING! Golovin (CSKA) is booked for dissent.
Herrera has a decent strike blocked after Martial had opened up the away side's defence with a super run. Martial has been just sensational in this first period. The hosts look to counter from the blocked Herrera strike, but once again their move comes to an end in the Man United half of the field.
De Gea is down to keep out a decent strike from Dzagoev.
HALF-TIME: CSKA 0-3 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man United leading CSKA 3-0 in Russia. Martial scored from the penalty spot, while Lukaku netted a first-half brace for the brilliant visitors. That said, as good as Man United have been, CSKA have been just as bad.
STATISTICS! Man United dominated the first-half possession with 68%, while they have had nine attempts - five of which were on target. CSKA, meanwhile, hit the target with four of their seven attempts, and De Gea had to pull off a couple of excellent saves. Just the one booking to report - Golovin in the 42nd minute. CSKA have not been able to get near Man United to make a challenge!
BENCH WATCH! Rashford, Lingard and Mata are among those on the Man United bench tonight, and I suspect that CSKA will not be looking forward to the prospect of facing Rashford's pace. As for CSKA, the home side have attacking options in the shape of Kuchaev, Milanov and Zhamaletdinov.
RESTART! CSKA resume the action here...
... no changes from either manager at the break. Will CSKA improve in the second period?
Decent work from Golovin as the CSKA attacker works some space just inside the Man United box, but his strike was always curling wide of the post. Golovin has been the pick of the CSKA players here.
SAVE! Super save from Akinfeev as the CSKA goalkeeper manages to keep out a close-range effort from Lukaku, who had been found by another super pass from Martial!
Lukaku will surely have more chances to get his hat-trick, but that was a really good opportunity for the Belgian. Man United appear to have regained control of the possession early in the second period.
CHANCE! Blind heads a Young cross just over the crossbar!
BOOKING! Wernbloom (CSKA) is booked for a poor challenge on Mkhitaryan.
Man United are full of beans at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, and CSKA just cannot seem to gain control of the ball. Still a lot of football to be played here.
Lukaku has the chance to break into the home side's box, but a poor touch from the striker sees the chance evaporate. That really should have been a fourth for the away side!
GOAL! CSKA 0-4 Man United (Mkhitaryan)
Man United have their fourth of the match as Mkhitaryan fires home from close range after Akinfeev had kept out a strike from Martial. The away side are running away with this match.
BOOKING! Vitinho (CSKA) is booked for an elbow on Bailly.
MAN UNITED SUB! Lingard replaces Mkhitaryan for the away side.
SAVE! Stunning chance for United to score a fifth as Martial slides a wonderful pass into Lingard, but the Englishman cannot find a route past Akinfeev. What a save!
CSKA just cannot keep hold of the ball. I cannot believe how poor the Russian side have been tonight, but Man United have been extremely impressive in the final third of the field here.
Martial again looks for Lukaku, who had just stayed onside, but Vasin is on hand to make the clearance. Man United are preparing to make their second change as Darmian gets ready here.
Vitinho sends one wide of the post from just outside the Man United box.
MAN UNITED SUB! Darmian replaces Young for the away side.
CSKA SUB! Zhamaletdinov replaces Chalov for the home side.
Little over 20 minutes of football remaining, and Lukaku is still chasing his third of the match. Surely the Belgian will have chances in the latter stages. Rashford waits for his chance on the bench.
MAN UNITED SUB! Rashford replaces Martial for Man United.
CSKA SUB! Dzagoev is replaced by Milanov for the home side.
A nasty clash of heads between Wernbloom and Lingard leaves the Man United attacker on the ground. That was not too clever from Wernbloom, who looked to head the back of Lingard's head.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but Man United continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Still more than 10 minutes of football to play here.
Lukaku has been excellent for Man United tonight, and he has just been down in the left-back position winning a free kick. Will the Belgian be able to notch his hat-trick late on here?!
SAVE! Akinfeev keeps out a close-range effort from Darmian, who had been released by a quite stunning pass from Matic. That was exceptional from the midfielder!
Lingard attempts to release Lukaku inside the CSKA box, but the pass just has too much weight, and Akinfeev is on hand to collect. Still more than five minutes of football remaining here.
De Gea is down to keep out a long-range strike from Vitinho.
CSKA SUB! Kuchaev replaces Vitinho in the home side's final change.
Rashford misses the crossbar with a free kick from distance.
Man United are still hungry for goals as we enter the final moments of this match. CSKA have been a touch better in the second period, but the Russian side have been so disappointing overall.
Golovin, who has been the home side's best player tonight, sends one wide of the Man United post as we enter the final minute of football. Not too much stoppage time to be played I should imagine!
GOAL! CSKA 1-4 Man United (Kuchaev)
CSKA get their name on the scoresheet as Kuchaev finds the back of the net with a smart finish!
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
FULL-TIME: CSKA 1-4 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Man United recording a 4-1 win over CSKA to move onto six points in Group A. It was a very impressive performance from the Red Devils! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again! Until next time!
