Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League showdown between Manchester United and CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford. Both sides are level on both points and goal difference in Group B heading into this game, so it could prove to be vital in terms of who progresses into the knockout stages of Europe's premier competition. First things first, though, let's take a look at the two teams who will be on show tonight...

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Carrick; Lingard, Mata, Martial; Rooney

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Jones, Darmian, Pereira, Herrera, Memphis, Fellaini

Louis van Gaal makes three changes to his starting XI from the weekend's draw with Crystal Palace, then, with one of those coming in defence as Ashley Young, who made one or two important interceptions and clearances at the back post in that match starts at tight-back in place of Matteo Darmian. The summer signing has gone off the boil a little following a promising start to life at Manchester United, and he has now lost his place in the starting XI. De Gea, Smalling, Blind and Rojo all start once again, though.

Another change comes in midfield as Michael Carrick replaces Schneiderlin in the starting lineup, partnering Schweinsteiger in the middle of the park. The German has obviously had a fantastic career in the game, but United have too often been pedestrian in possession this season and much of that stems from him. He is the man who, more often than not, dictates the tempo that United play at given that they usually enjoy the majority of the ball, and that tempo needs to increase if they are to start causing sides real problems.

The biggest surprise on the United teamsheet, just like in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, is the inclusion of Lingard once again. The youngster has minimal experience at this level, but certainly didn't let himself down when these two teams met at the Arena Khimki. Van Gaal has opted to give him another chance this evening, which could see Mata move into a number 10 role and Martial continue out wide on the left. Memphis, fresh from being left out of the Dutch squad, continues on the bench, while Herrera is the man to make way for Lingard.

The man who has garnered most attention for United in recent weeks is Wayne Rooney, who continues to struggle for form this season. He did hit a hat-trick in the Champions League earlier in the campaign, but that was a qualifying match and he is yet to open his account in the group stages, while managing only two goals in the Premier League so far. It is not just his lack of goals that is worrying a lot of United fans, though - his overall contribution has been disappointing more often than not this season, and there is an increasing clamour to see him dropped from the side.

We will bring you news of the confirmed CSKA starting lineup as soon as it filters through, but it appears as though there may no Seydou Doumbia for the visitors, which would be a major blow. He has scored four goals in Manchester in the last two seasons, all against Manchester City, and was also on the scoresheet in the return fixture against United.

Igor Akinfeev will start in goal for the visitors once again, with the keeper desperate to end a run of 34 straight matches in which he has conceded in this competition. The last time he kept a clean sheet in the Champions League was more than nine years ago, although it did come in England as CSKA held Arsenal to a goalless draw back in November 2006.

CSKA STARTING XI: Akinfeev; Fernandes, Ignashevich, Berezutski, Schennikov;Dzagoev, Wernbloom, Tošić, Natcho, Milanov; Musa

CSKA SUBS: Chepchugov, Vasin, Panchenko, Nababkin, Golovin, Doumbia

It is only the bench for Doumbia, then, which is a big surprise. Even so, Musa, who leads the line as a result, has pace to burn and CSKA do have speed throughout their side. With United employing Schweinsteiger and Carrick in the middle of the park, that is surely an area of the field that they will look to exploit through that pace. Tosic, meanwhile, returns to Old Trafford having briefly played for United earlier in his career.

This will be no means be a walk in the park for United, then, but they have been playing as if they are simply going for a friendly stroll lately. The pressure is growing on Van Gaal to inject some pace and excitement into the United set-up, with the Red Devils are far cry from the attacking outfit that they were under Sir Alex Ferguson right now. They keep the ball well enough, but do not use it effectively and as a result have not been winning as many games as they should have been.

Indeed, it is now four matches without a win in all competitions for the Red Devils, with all of those games being draws and one seeing them go on to lose on penalties against Championship side Middlesbrough in the League Cup. They have only won one of their last six games, although that was an impressive 3-0 victory over Everton, and should that record worsen tonight then they could find themselves in trouble as far as qualifying for the knockout stages goes.

United are currently second in Group B having overcome defeat to PSV in a nightmare opening game that also saw Luke Shaw break his leg with a win over Wolfsburg and the draw against CSKA a fortnight ago. However, there is nothing to separate them from tonight's opponents and, while a win should put them in a good position to qualifying and could even take them top of the group depending on Wolfsburg's result against PSV, defeat could have major consequences.

The main problem for United over the past few weeks has been finding the back of the net. They have drawn each of their last three games 0-0 - the first time that has happened since 2005 - and another blank this evening would see them go four games without scoring for the first time since 1992. Martial's header in the reverse fixture of this tie was the last time they found the back of the net, 325 minutes ago. United were actually in decent scoring form before that game, though, having scored three or more goals in seven of the previous 12 games and managed 14 in the previous six. The goals have certainly dried up since, though.

I have already touched on Rooney's struggles in front of goal, but in truth it is a team failure to push forward that is costing United most right now. They have created the fewest chances in the Premier League so far this season, as well as playing the most backward passes and second-most sideways passes. Those stats are enough to prove that it isn't just the fault of one man, but rather of the whole team to take a few risks and quicken the tempo at which they play. Teams are finding it far too easy to play against United at the moment.

On the plus side of this recent run, United's clean sheet against Crystal Palace at the weekend was their fourth in their last five games, while no team has conceded fewer in the Premier League this season. However, a team like United should not be aiming to simply not lose games, and the only way that they are going to start winning is to find form in front of goal once again. They will be confident of scoring tonight, but it would take a few goals to really get the critics off their backs.

United are unbeaten inside 90 minutes at home this season, with their only defeat of any kind coming six days ago when Middlesbrough shocked Van Gaal's side on penalties to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup. However, they are also without a win in front of their own fans since September and have failed to score in their last two games. Once again the flip side is that their defensive record is good - four clean sheets in their last five and only three goals conceded all season - while in the Champions League they have won six and lost none of their last seven at Old Trafford, with Bayern Munich the only visiting team to escape with anything since March 2013.

It could well be a tall order for CSKA, then, but they will go into the match full of confidence and will feel that this is a good time to be playing United. The reverse fixture saw the Russians have the better of the first half, despite seeing much less of the ball, and they showed enough in that opening 45 minutes to suggest that they could cause one or two problems here tonight. They were much less threatening in the second half, however.

The pace they have throughout their side was their main weapon in the first half of that match, and with United expected to see even more of the ball tonight, CSKA will most likely rely on their counter-attack to cause problems. As already mentioned, the central midfield pairing for United is certainly not the fastest, but it is a big blow for the visitors to be missing Doumbia, their star striker.

Domestically, things could not be going much better for CSKA right now. They are top of the table in the Russian Premier League and nine points clear of second-placed Lokomotiv Moscow having dropped just six points all season so far. They remain the only unbeaten team in the league and have won 11 of their 14 outings, putting them 10 points clear of reigning champions Zenit.

Indeed, CSKA are currently on a club-record run of 21 league matches unbeaten, while their streak in all competitions hit double figures at the weekend. The last time Leonid Slutsky's side tasted defeat was against Wolfsburg on matchday one of the Champions League, although it perhaps isn't the greatest sign that their only two defeats all season have both come in this competition.

While United had to come through a playoff, CSKA have had an even longer route to the group stages having entered the competition in the third qualifying round. They overcame Sparta Prague 5-4 on aggregate in a thrilling tie to reach the playoffs, where they lost the first leg against Sporting Lisbon but recovered to come through 4-3 on aggregate.

They come into this match with exactly the same record as United in all of the columns of Group B and, like United, also boast the best defensive record in their domestic league. The Red Devils should take some hope from the fact that both of CSKA's defeats this season have come in away Champions League games, but the Russians are unbeaten in their last four on the road in all competitions, winning seven of 10 this season.

Their away record in this particular competition is not quite as impressive, though. CSKA have lost eight of their last 10 Champions League outings on the road, including those two already this term. Of the two exceptions, only one came in the Champions League proper, although coincidentally that did come in Manchester last season as Doumbia's double downed Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium almost exactly a year ago. Home and away, though, the Russians have won just three of their last 17 games in the Champions League proper.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! United haven't been in the most inspiring of form of late, and CSKA are capable of causing an upset tonight, but the hosts really should have enough about them to emerge victorious from this one. I'm going to go for a 2-0 home victory.

United have actually never beaten a Russian team at Old Trafford, drawing on all three previous occasions that they have welcomed one. The last of those, wouldn't you know it, came against CSKA in 2009 and it was a thrilling Champions League group game. CSKA looked on course for an historic victory with a 3-1 lead going into the closing stages, but late goals from Paul Scholes and Antonio Valencia rescued a point for Ferguson's side.

As a result, CSKA have still never beaten United in three previous meetings, although they have only lost one of those two. They were made to wait for their first victory on English soil, but finally got that last term with the 2-1 win over Manchester City. They have drawn three and lost two of their other five visits to these shores.

In all, United have faced Russian opposition eight times, and their own record is surprisingly poor down the years. They have only won one of those encounters, although it should also be noted that their only defeat came in the 2008 Super Cup against Zenit. The other six matches have ended in draws, including, of course, the reverse fixture in this group.

Right, the players are out, the anthem has been played and we're just about ready to go here at Old Trafford. It is a big night for United, not only for their Champions League knockout hopes but also as they aim to entertain some fans who are growing a little disillusioned with the team.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! CSKA get us underway in a rainy Manchester on another big night of European football.

Louis van Gaal has notably opted to start Martial in a central role as the leading striker this evening, with Rooney dropping a little deeper into the number 10 role and Mata and Lingard either side of him. It is what many fans have been calling for, and they have got their wish here, at least in the opening stages.

CLOSE! Rooney has the first chance of the match as Lingard collects the ball down the left before sliding it to the overlapping Rojo. His cross is drilled in and CSKA manage to get a foot to it, but it only drops to Rooney, who flashes one narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Encouraging signs for United as they make a bright start to this match. Akinfeev is called upon here to clear the ball away from Rooney, who was not far away from nicking the ball just in front of the keeper there.

United have shown real intent in the opening stages of this match, which is a breath of fresh air compared to recent performances. They will want to keep this tempo up, however, rather than slipping back into their recent habit of slow possession football.

CHANCE! Another big chance for the hosts as Rooney slides the ball in for Lingard, but Akinfeev is quick off his line to make a brave stop at the youngster's feet. The CSKA skipper is quickly back up and makes another challenge on Rojo following up, preventing the left-back from converting the rebound. Fine goalkeeping.

Rooney is actually spending a lot of his time up alongside Martial at the moment, with United playing a 4-4-2, perhaps even a 4-2-4 formation. Those numbers in attack are really causing CSKA problems in the opening exchanges.

United have clearly been told to go out there and attack CSKA tonight. This is the best that I have seen them so far this season, but there is still a long way to go and it remains to be seen whether they can maintain the tempo - or indeed profit from it.

CHANCE! Another good opening for the hosts as Blind, on the halfway line, pings a beauty of a pass into the box for the run of Mata. The Spaniard meets it on the stretch, but can't get the power behind his effort to really trouble Akinfeev.

United are getting plenty of joy down their left flank in particular. Rojo struggled a fortnight ago, being given a torrid time by Fernandes in the first half especially, but he has been able to get on the front foot this time around and is getting forward whenever possible.

Once again they come forward down the left and, after one attack fizzles out, Rojo goes for goal himself, only to drag his low effort comfortably wide of the far post.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night is shown to Schennikov, and he can have no complaints for an untidy challenge on Young.

Very good defending from Young as he thwarts a CSKA counter after Carrick had carelessly given the ball away. The visitors spotted the chance to pounce on the break, but the final cross is well blocked by Young.

United's momentum has just slowed a little in an attacking sense over the last few minutes, but they are still in complete control here. They have had 69% possession, and have been camped inside the CSKA half for much of this match.

Lingard is also looking bright down that left flank. He hasn't come up with anything of real substance so far, but he has gone on a couple of exciting runs that have held promise. He certainly isn't lacking any confidence and has not been overawed by the occasion.

Speak of the devil - here is a shot of Lingard in action as he skips past Dzagoev:

Schweinsteiger wins a free kick in a good position, and Rooney swings the ball into a very good area. Smalling has escaped his marker but for some strange reason ducks underneath the ball when he could have gone for goal.

Berezutski gets involved in a tussle with Martial on the United right, winning the ball off the youngster before going down and winning a free kick. Martial doesn't agree with it, but he can't really argue considering Berezutski gets up with his shirt torn up!

CHANCE! Another good chance for the hosts, created by good work from Mata and Young down the right. Mata slips the ball in to the latter, who in turn fires a low ball right across the six-yard box. It goes all the way through to Lingard at the back post, but he puts his effort over the top when he really should have done better. His end product has not quite been good enough so far tonight.

CSKA have offered absolutely nothing going forward so far tonight. Even breaks into the United half have been few and far between, with the hosts controlling the ball and playing most of the game inside CSKA territory. It has been disappointing from the visitors.

CHANCE! The chances keep on coming for United, and this time it is Rojo who squanders it following more good work Young. The right-back swings a fine ball over towards an unmarked Rojo at the back post, but he tries to put his laces through the first-time volley and slices it wide of the target.

Well, there have been a lot of frustrations for United fans in recent weeks, but the only frustration tonight is that they haven't taken the lead yet. It does seem like a matter of when, rather than if, they will score, though, so Van Gaal won't be worried just yet.

I criticised Schweinsteiger for a slow and conservative approach so far this season before the game, but he has been a lot more forward-thinking so far today. It is evident that Van Gaal has made a few tweaks to rectify the problems that have been highlighted in recent games.

It looks like CSKA may hold out until half time which, for a while, didn't look like it would be the case. Slutsky will be delighted if they do manage to do that as it has been one-way traffic throughout this opening 45 minutes.

I wonder whether Slutsky may consider risking Doumbia in the second half. They have really missed his presence up front tonight and, should CSKA still be in the game with 15 or 20 minutes remaining, we may just see the striker make a cameo.

The first half comes to an end at Old Trafford and, while the scoreline is still level, there has only really been one team in the match. United will be wondering just how they are not winning this match having dominated possession once again and, crucially, created a lot of chances. It has been a lot more easy on the eye than some recent United matches, but they are just lacking that cutting edge in the final third.

Perhaps the best chance of the half fell to Jesse Lingard, who has looked bright but has been lacking the end product so far tonight. Mata and Young combined down the right flank to create the chance, with the latter firing a ball cross all the way to Lingard at the back post. The youngster took a touch, but then put his effort over the crossbar when he really should have done better.

Lingard was also played through on goal by Rooney inside the opening 10 minutes, but this time Akinfeev was quick off his line to smother it at the youngster's feet. The CSKA skipper was up against straight away to deny Rojo as well, but it is those two down the United left who have caused the most problems for the visitors.

Rojo himself squandered a very good chance around 10 minutes before the interval when Young's deep cross found him inside the box and unmarked at the back post. The Argentine went to put his foot through the volley, only to skew it wide when he perhaps would have been better off controlling his volley with the side of his foot. Even so, the fact that their left-back was almost inside the CSKA six-yard box should be encouraging for a side who have failed to get many bodies forward all too often this season.

The likes of Rooney and Mata have also threatened for the hosts, but that goal continues to prove elusive. Should the second half pan out in a similar way then you would have to back United to finally end their goal drought, but the longer they go without scoring the more anxious they may begin to get. They have very little to worry about defensively, though, with CSKA offering nothing in attack and packing men behind the ball inside their own half. A draw would be a very good result for the visitors, and they are set up to get one.

Perhaps the major concern for United will be that, despite their domination in possession and territory, they haven't really tested Akinfeev yet. It is perhaps the best we have seen United so far this season, certainly in terms of approach play, but they need to start turning that into goals.

KICKOFF: United get us back underway for this second half as they look to finally turn their domination into points.

CLOSE! Brilliant from Lingard as he skips away from a rash challenge from Fernandes down the left. His cross is a dangerous one too, but Ignashevich gets it behind for a corner before Rooney can tap it home. From the resulting corner Rojo gets in front of his man but plants his header just wide of the target when he probably should have scored.

United have quickly resumed control of this match, and I suspect that is the pattern the vast majority of this second half will follow. CSKA are just hanging on for a draw and perhaps one chance on the break.

CHANCE! Again it is a chance that stems from the left flank as Rojo swings a cross into the middle that Martial attacks. He scored a header a fortnight ago in the reverse fixture and wins it again here, but it is a tame effort straight at Akinfeev.

Vital piece of defending from Tosic as Akinfeev's punch from a corner only falls to Lingard on the edge of the box. The youngster chests it down and is about to pull the trigger before Tosic gets an important foot in with his keeper still out of possession.

CSKA have defended fairly stoutly for much of this match, but they don't do themselves any favours here as they give the ball away inside their own half three times in quick succession. United aren't able to capitalise, but it certainly isn't doing anything to help them stem the tide.

CSKA SUB: I mentioned that we may see Doumbia in the second half, but I wasn't expecting him quite this early. The striker replaces Natcho just 10 minutes into the second half.

That change sees Musa move into a more familiar wide position, from which he did cause United one or two problems in Russia. He has barely been involved at all tonight, but will be hopeful of having more of an impact now in his preferred role.

Half a chance for Doumbia to have CSKA's first shot of the night as the ball drops to him, but he turns down the opportunity to shoot and is eventually crowded out on the edge of the area.

There is the threat of Musa in a wide position as he pushes the ball past Smalling before racing away from the defender with electric pace. He fires the ball in with the outside of his boot and it looks like it will reach Doumbia until De Gea comes out to gather.

YELLOW CARD! Wernbloom becomes the second name in the referee's notebook this evening.

CSKA have just started to show a little more attacking intent since the introduction of Doumbia, but it is still United who are well on top. They have enjoyed 70% of the ball and have had 10 shots to CSKA's none.

Musa finally does break CSKA's duck in terms of shots, but that is about all that should be said about that effort. He tried to catch De Gea off his line, but his speculative effort was a million miles from troubling the goal.

UPDATE: PSV have taken the lead against Wolfsburg in Eindhoven, which makes Group B a very interesting one as things stand. Should both games end as they are now, there would be just one point separating the four teams, with Wolfsburg and PSV joint top on six and United and CSKA behind on five points apiece.

MAN UTD SUB: So much for the exciting United... Van Gaal makes his first change of the night and it is Martial making way to be replaced by Marouane Fellaini - a sub greeted with a chorus of boos from the home fans.

'We want to attack, we want to attack, we're Man United, we want to attack'. That is the chant coming from the stands in Old Trafford right now, swiftly followed by the old classic 'Attack, attack, attack!' The fans are leaving Van Gaal in no doubt as to what they want to see.

PENALTY SHOUT! United want a penalty as Rooney takes the ball down really well on his chest inside the box before being crowded out. He went down rather softly, but before that there was a definite shirt tug that the referee may have been interested in.

CSKA have what is probably their brightest attack of the night as they come forward in numbers and have United backtracking. The defenders never look in control of the situation, but despite twisting and turning they eventually manage to cut out the final pass and get the ball clear.

CHANCE! Huge chance for United to take the lead, and it is Rooney who squanders it! Lingard slides a pass down the left channel for Mata, who leaves two defenders standing with a fine Cruyff turn before cutting back down the side and playing a low pass in to Rooney. He is inside the six-yard box, but his first effort is blocked and, as he tries to shift it from left to right, the ball escapes him.

PENALTY SHOUT! Huge penalty shout from the Stretford end a Young bursts between two players before driving into the box and going head over heels following a challenge from Schennikov. Not for the first time, though, Young had looked to buy the penalty by leaving his leg out and ensuring contact. Very good decision from the referee.

MAN UTD SUB: Another change for the hosts as Memphis Depay replaces Mata for the final 15 minutes or so.

CLOSE! United are really starting to build momentum here as the ball drops to Carrick just outside the box, but his first-time volley goes a yard or so wide of the target.

CSKA SUB: The visitors make their second change of the evening, taking former United man Tosic off and bringing Aleksandr Golovin on.

Time is beginning to run out for United now. This would be a very good result for CSKA if they can hold on to it, while United's Champions League knockout hopes would take a blow. They should have had this game wrapped up already in truth.

CHANCE! Oh my word, CSKA should be ahead! Musa slides the pass through to Doumbia, who suddenly finds himself with only the keeper to beat. De Gea makes a good save to deny the striker, but the ball squirms away and Doumbia is able to have another go. He tries to drill it towards goal with De Gea out of the picture, but Smalling dives across to make a stunning, goal-saving block. Perhaps Doumbia should have gone high with his effort, but take nothing away from Smalling.

United finally have the breakthrough! Rojo does really well to win the ball back inside the CSKA half before giving it to Carrick, who spreads it out wide to the right. Lingard is there and cushions a beautiful volleyed cross back into the middle for Rooney to nod past Akinfeev from inside the box.

SAVE! United want another here. Rooney cuts inside and somehow flicks the ball over to Lingard with the outside of his foot, and the youngster lashes a powerful first-time volley towards goal that Akinfeev has to tip over.

How important does that Smalling block look now? Just moments after he saved a certain goal, Rooney went down the other end and opened the scoring with a goal that brings him level with the great Denis Law in the Manchester United scoring charts - only Sir Bobby Charlton has scored more now. Rooney is also closing in on Ruud van Nistelrooy's European record for United too.

CSKA MOSCOW SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Kirill Panchenko replaces Dzagoev for the final five minutes plus stoppage time.

A rare shooting chance for CSKA, but it falls to the wrong man. Wernbloom initially brought the ball forward before giving it out to Musa, who cut inside before returning the ball to the midfielder. He never looks convincing as he goes for the shot, however, dragging the tame effort comfortably wide.

CSKA are, perhaps predictably, enjoying their best period of possession right now as United look to see the match out in the closing stages. The visitors can have no complaints at coming away from this one empty-handed, though.

MAN UTD SUB: Van Gaal makes his final change of the night, giving Ander Herrera a short cameo in place of Schweinsteiger.

There will be three additional minutes at the end of this match.

Well, it perhaps wasn't as straightforward as it should have been, but it is a win nonetheless for Manchester United as they move top of Group B with a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow. The hosts dominated pretty much from start to finish at Old Trafford, and in the end Wayne Rooney's header with just over 10 minutes remaining proved decisive, although a word should also go to De Gea and Smalling for denying CSKA moments before.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Champions League clash as Manchester United end both their winless streak and goal drought with a 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. There is more European football on offer for you tomorrow night too, so make sure to check back in with us for coverage of that. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!