CSKA Moscow 1 Man Utd 4: Romelu Lukaku puts Russians to the sword

CSKA 1 - 4 Man Utd Lukaku scores
Romelu Lukaku scored twice as CSKA Moscow's defence were cut open Credit: GETTY IMAGES

    Jose Mourinho has got a problem on his hands because it can be hard to stay humble when you crush Champions League opposition like this away from home. Manchester United have not played with this sort of panache in Europe for years.

    The Portuguese insisted the only way his side can prolong their excellent start is if they stay grounded, remain aware of their limitations and focus on the fact successful teams must do the ugly things before they get anyone to admire their achievements.

    It was a very deliberate message before United’s Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow, designed to remind his players that dogged 1-0 away victories like the one against Southampton last weekend are the real makings of champions. He need not have bothered for this one. CSKA entered the competition this year with a burgeoning reputation, but they were the ones humbled.

    The Russians turned into the most hospitable of hosts. Maybe it is all part of a long-term ploy to show everyone will be welcome ahead of next summer’s World Cup, a charm offensive taken to extreme levels. In reality, they were just out-classed.

    Romelu Lukaku was unfortunate not to score a hat-trick
    Romelu Lukaku was unfortunate not to score a hat-trick Credit: AFP

    Mourinho had gone out of his way to be respectful before the game, no doubt mindful it is best not to poke the Russian bear, labelling Viktor Goncharenko’s team the best CSKA side he had faced in his career. United, though, tamed them early and had made them dance by the end.

    “This performance can only be good for the team and players,” said Mourinho. “For the team, confidence is good, it was a performance of great personality, six points in two matches in the Champions League puts us in a good position.

    “I think this is the strongest performance I have had from one of my teams against CSKA, even though I’ve been here with Real Madrid and Inter Milan. For the players individually, there were so many good performances. The likes of Smalling and Martial who have not been starting matches, they have done so well.

    “We are playing on Saturday at 3pm [against Crystal Palace] against a fresh team, so we have to keep our feet on the ground, we have to stay humble, but we have had a really good start to the season.

    “Results away from home in Europe were not the best, especially in the Champions League, but after one season away, we have come back, played really well and got three points.”

    The first goal was started and finished by Romelu Lukaku, who threaded a lovely ball in behind CSKA ageing centre-backs, perfectly weighted for Martial to expose their lack of pace.

    Lukaku did not stop to admire his pass, trotting forward he arrived at the far post to nod Martial’s cross beyond the fingertips of Igor Akinfeev.

    The home crowd did not stop signing, even while United celebrated their early lead, and CSKA almost managed the perfect reply, Alan Dzagoev getting a shot away, which David de Gea did well to turn behind.

    United, though, were slicing through their midfield and exposing a creaking, immobile defence. They should have doubled their lead inside quarter of an hour, Daley Blind picking out the unmarked Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but the Armenian was a little too relaxed with a side-footed finish.

    A let off for CSKS, but when Mkitaryan was brought down clumsily inside the area, Martial did the rest, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with an expertly taken spot kick.

    United could not have asked for a better start and it became the dream one when Vasili Berezutski kicked at the chilly Moscow air and Martial’s cross travelled unimpeded to Lukaku, who stabbed home United’s third goal.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates scoring United's fourth goal
    Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrates scoring United's fourth goal Credit: GETTY IMAGES

    The Belgian stood with his arms folded in celebration. It was so simple, it seemed almost rude to get excited.

    The only way United would lose this was if they switched off and let CSKA back into it. There were no sign of that happening as Lukaku was denied a hat-trick by a wonderful reaction save from Akinfeev at the start of the second half.

    United still got a fourth goal, when Martial’s shot was saved and Mkhitaryan slotted in the rebound. Substitute Jesse Lingard almost scored with his first touch, denied by another good save from Akinfeev, as was another substitute Matteo Darmian but it barely mattered.

    Even the bare chested CSKA fans behind the goal were not really watching as they continued to chant and sing. At least they got to cheer a goal, thanks to Konstantin Kuchaev's late consolation.

                                                                                                        

    FULL TIME

    That's it! The fightback isn't on tonight. A fantastic performance from Man Utd away in Russia. 

    GOOOOAAAAALLL!

    But is it all over?! Man Utd get caught out and CSKA are alive!

    The defence doesn't spot the runner going straight through the middle of the defence and Kuchaev finishes low past De Gea. 

    86 mins

    De Gea has a save to make from distance, Rashford lines up a free-kick from 35 yards and boots it into the crowd. Man Utd are just seeing this game out now.

     

    83 mins

    Brilliant save by Akinfeev and great run by Darmian but the ball by Matic is phenomenal. Darmian gets in behind and should probably score... but is denied by the goalkeeper.

     

    80 mins

    The TV director hasn't shown it yet, but apparently the entire stand behind Akinfeev's goal is filled with shirtless supporters, who have crammed themselves into a smaller space than is usually comfortable.

    77 mins

    Benfica are losing 5-0 to Basel. CSKA beat Benfica away from home. Pray for Benfica vs Man Utd.

    United are probably going to start trying to keep the ball and kill the game - or make it... deader - for the last 15 minutes. Lukaku wants his hat-trick.

    74 mins

    Credit: GETTY IMAGES

     

    73 mins

    Lukaku's first touch lets him down in the box and he barges his way into the defender to win the ball back, keeps it close to his feet and is bundled down from behind. That might probably be a penalty but the referee either isn't convinced or just feels bad for CSKA. Martial leaves the pitch and looks to be limping ever so slightly...

    Rashford on in his place. On second look, that was never a penalty for Lukaku.

    70 mins

    Because of some technical issues I've been unable to let you know what's been going on for the past few minutes but it's basically just more of the same. United much quicker, passing better, moving well and CSKA waiting for this whole thing to be over. 

    61 mins

    Mkhitaryan off, Lingard on. 

    AND IT SHOULD BE FIVE! Holy hell Batman, this is silly. Lingard has been on the pitch for under 15 seconds and Martial dribbles past half the team and tees him up for a one on one in the box. CSKA aren't even trying now. 

    GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL!

    CSKA Moscow are a shambles. Ignashevich gives a stupid pass away and is then too slow to get back into position. Martial strides forward, doesn't put his shot into the corner and the rebound falls to Mkhitaryan, who is on the prowl.

    57 mins

    Wernbloom is booked after coming into a challenge in the wrong time zone on Mkhitaryan, catching his throat with a straight forearm. I've seen reds for that, though it would've been harsh, because from what I've seen of Wernbloom in this game, he is absolutely mince.

    And isn't it weird that the teams have a similar shot count? CSKA's have been mostly from outside the area, which helps explain.

     

    54 mins

    Credit: AP

    Blind has just put a header over from 12 yards out. CSKA don't seem to be able to defend in their own box. Lukaku has the ball in the CSKA half and has a runner to his left in miles of space... but holds onto the ball too long and is tackled. 

    51 mins

    LUKAKUUUUUUUUUU - denied by the goalkeeper! Absolutely beautiful build-up play there as Martial and Lukaku link on the edge of the box, Martial fires a powerful pass into Lukaku, whose first touch is excellent and sets up the shot. The goalkeeper spreads and blocks and Lukaku can't get to the rebound in time.

     

    48 mins

    Decent start to the half by CSKA and Golovin in particular. He fakes to shoot on his right foot and pushes it onto his left, blasting a shot without enough control wide and high. Still a good effort and a sign that CSKA want to get back into this one.

    KICK-OFF 2

    We're back! What will have changed?

    HALF TIME chat

    CSKA haven't been awful but they have conceded atrocious goals. Man Utd's shape suits this game perfectly and taking that early lead after fairly poor defending from the home side has made the match take exactly the shape Mourinho wanted it to. Now United can counter-attack when the opportunity arises and CSKA must decide whether it's worth the risk trying to salvage a point or just try to avoid an embarrassing scoreline.

    45 mins

    Dzagoev tries a shot from distance, De Gea dives to his left and gets hold of the ball low on the ground. And that'll be all for now.

    43 mins

     CSKA really don't look like a very good team here. At all. Golovin charges into a tackle on Herrera, clearly frustrated with how little effort his teammates are putting in to trying to win the ball back. Yellow card. Goncharenko doesn't even look angry on the sidelines, just sad.

    41 mins

    United are actually playing with two central strikers in Lukaku and Martial. Mkhitaryan is just wandering around wherever he reckons he can have the most fun while Herrera and Matic keep the middle of the pitch safe. This 3-4-1-2 is a formation United have used a few times before, and one that Mourinho has said he might wheel out from time to time this season. It's nice.

    38 mins

    Credit: REUTERS

     McManaman is now slagging off Viktor Goncharenko for not issuing instructions to his team. But here's a nice little move and suddenly Fedor Chalov is in space! He's inside the penalty area! Shoots... great save by De Gea! 

     

    35 mins

    United have time and space all over the pitch. CSKA are defending deep without ever putting pressure on the ball, United move the ball from left to right and back again easily. Steve McManaman reckons there's no communication in the CSKA team and that it's "every man for himself" at the moment. They've lost their shape and are in danger of being overrun here. Lukaku tries a long range shot - because why the hell not - and Akinfeev pushes it wide. 

    33 mins

    Credit: REUTERS

    CSKA have the ball in United's half and are passing it around as Mourinho's men drop into a back five. Lukaku drops deep to link play while Martial moves forward in a central position ahead of him... and United win a throw-in high up the pitch. Young tries to nutmeg the left-back but doesn't quite get away with it this time. 

    GOOOOAAAAL!

    Ermagerd. That is atrocious. Romelu Lukaku has put Man Utd into a commanding 0-3 lead and it's an absolute shambles of a goal. I've not seen defending as poor as that since... playing under-14s football in Aberdeenshire in my youth. Horrible. The cross should be stopped but the defender swings a leg at the ball and is nowhere near it. Lukaku taps in.

    25 mins

    I was sure this game was going to be a precarious, fairly uneventful game with fewer than two - certainly no more than three - goals which is just one example of why I no longer bet on football matches. I'm now not so sure the score will stay at 2-0 since as CSKA try to get back into the game they'll leave the kind of exposed defence that Mourinho's teams love to exploit.

    22 mins

    CSKA seem fired up by this early set back and are trying to go at United. Golovin has an effort from distance fizz just wide of the far post, with De Gea looking beaten. The game's not over yet, Clive.

     

    GOOOOOOAL!

    Anthony Martial adds a second for Man Utd - it's now 0-2!

    PENALTY!

    Mkhitaryan runs into the area, Schennikov slides in about two hours earlier than he needs to and Mkhitaryan waits for the foul and goes over it! Dreadful defending. The assistant referee behind the goal awards the penalty.

    Time on ball (0 - 15 min)

    16 mins

    United's shape is allowing them to control the pitch in CSKA's half and still keep three central defenders deep to take care of counter-attacks. The Russians are finding space between midfield and defence though - Herrera and Matic need to be careful not to get caught too far from their defensive friends.

    Man Utd enjoying plenty of touches of the ball so far

    Man Utd have had 166 touches of the ball compared to 76 by CSKA Moscow.

    13 mins

    Credit: GETTY IMAGES

     Martial is already giving the CSKA defence a bit of a run around. He's been able to drift past defenders with little turns of speed and skill. Lukaku links a move well with a clever backheel, United keep coming and cut CKSA open. A pass to Mkhitaryan is hit low towards the goal from close range... but it's saved! Great save, too!

     

    10 mins

    Martial keeps the ball well in the corner, faking to go one way and the other but Blind can't get a cross into the area and CSKA clear. 

    United are passing the ball around the back patiently now, asking CSKA to push further out of their own defensive shape and then hitting the ball long to the middle of the pitch towards either Lukaku or Matic.

    7 mins

    What a save! CSKA nearly pull it back straight away! Golovin kicks air instead of the ball  but it falls to Dzagoev, who hits a low effort to the corner. De Gea dives and parries it away.

    CSKA Moscow threaten for the first time

    Following the earlier Man Utd effort, CSKA Moscow register their first attempt at goal.

    GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAL!

    An early opener from Romelu Lukaku makes it 0-1 to Man Utd. What a start! The striker is far too strong for his marker, times his jump and dominates in the air. His header sends the ball low into the corner. The CSKA manager is furious.

    4 mins

    United pin CSKA back but Herrera can't quite pick out Martial with a drilled cross. CSKA attack quickly and United look out of shape (formation wise, not in fitness terms) but De Gea is able to boot the ball away as the Russians close in on goal.

    3 mins

    It is a back three for United. Lindelof is left side, Bailly on the right. Smalling seems to be allowed to take the ball out from the back. CSKA have started with high energy and are making it difficult for United to pass the ball.

    KICK-OFF

    It's soccer time!

    Spot your friends

    Credit: REUTERS

    You might have to zoom in but here's the United away support. That is dedication.  

    Here come the teams

    "I think United fans have pretty good memories of being in Moscow," says Owen Hargreaves as the teams lineup in the tunnel. Darren Fletcher is the commentator on BT Sport. I was thinking he should be the commentator on Pro Evo earlier today, rather than having Peter Drury try to jump scare me every time something happens IBRAHIMOVIIIIIIIC! but maybe they haven't got around to considering him as a legit commentator yet. He is. I suppose BT Sport is still quite new. Anyway - some football is about to happen.

    Mourinho reckons this is a tricky fixture

    Credit: REUTERS

    It's just the second match, against the team who are probably in the best position of all of us because they won their first away match.

    We started with a team that was playing really well and winning matches comfortably so he had to wait for his chance but we all knew this is a squad. 

    I know CSKA is the best CSKA I've played against and I've played against them with Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

    Man Utd's lovely football

    I wrote this a wee while ago on how Mourinho is taking United back to a style of football reminiscent of the Fergie era. Go easy - they aren't there yet - but something is happening at Old Trafford (in my humble opinion). Feel free to disagree in the comments or on Twitter or something. I hate that place. Twitter, I mean.  

    Is it a 3-4-3?

    BT Sport seem to think that Man Utd are going to be in a 3-4-3 formation tonight, which makes sense. In defence that'll be a five man defence and it suggests that Mourinho wants to keep things tight and at least guarantee a draw. I can imagine it's not the easiest thing to play in Russia and with the speed United have on the counter-attack from Lukaku, Mkhitaryan and Martial, they can threaten on the break when CSKA turnover the ball in midfield. That's exactly what I expect Mourinho is looking at with this tactical setup.

    Jose Mourinho is angry

    But what about? You can find out by reading here.

    Also, I can tell you. The United manager believes the way that his team's Premier League fixtures have been chosen has left England’s other Champions League representatives at a significant advantage over his side in the Premier League title race. Intriguing.

    CSKA Moscow's team

    There are two teams playing tonight - don't you forget it. And here's the CSKA Moscow team:

    Akinfeeve, Fernandes, Wernbloom, Vasin, Berezutski, Dzagoev, Vitinho, Golovin, Berezutski, Shennikov, Olanare.

     

    Team news

     Hello everyone! How are you? You can't tell me (JJ Bull) on here because there's no messaging function...yet... but I trust you all feel wonderful.

    In non-small talk news, I think this Man Utd lineup might either be a three man defence - a 3-4-3 - with Blind and Young the wing-backs but is more likely to be a 4-3-3 with either Lindelof or Blind acting as the anchor in midfield.

     

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