- Manchester United survived an early scare to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1
- Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford sealed the comeback in the Champions League
- United progress to the knockout stage as group winners
- READ MORE: Luke Shaw positioning will have Jose Mourinho fuming as Man Utd go 1-0 down to CSKA
Manchester United came from 1-0 down to earn a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League tonight for the perfect ending to their group stage campaign.
The victory sees the Red Devils progress as group winners, with a quickfire double in the second half from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford enough for the three points.
Here’s a look at the key events and performances from the game…
Man of the match
A player who continues to amaze – Paul Pogba.
The France international was at the heart of everything United did today, and his assist for the Lukaku equaliser was a thing of beauty.
Plus, there was this utterly ridiculous piece of skill when surrounded by three CSKA Moscow players…
‘And that was the moment he announced his retirement… pic.twitter.com/JXP0QTUqPR
— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) December 5, 2017
Flop of the match
While it might be harsh to say he flopped, Luke Shaw may have ended up wasting a golden opportunity tonight.
The England international had a fine start at left-back after being handed a surprise start by Jose Mourinho, who has barely included him all season long.
Still, Shaw showed his old defensive lapses once again with some shocking positioning on Alan Dzagoev’s opener for CSKA on the night, and it is that kind of slack defending that will surely see him continue to miss out.
Stat of the match
Some fans were laying into him on Twitter for some poor decision-making, but how’s this for a contribution?
? Rashford had averaged a goal or assist every 90 minutes this season
England’s future#MUNCSKA pic.twitter.com/K3lpVJORGN
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) December 5, 2017
Player ratings
Manchester United: Romero 6, Lindelof 7, Smalling 6, Blind 6, Valencia 7, Shaw 6, Herrera 7, Pogba 8, Mata 7, Rashford 8, Lukaku 7 / Subs: McTominay 6, Martial 6, Tuanzebe 6
CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev 7, Berezutski 6, Ignashevich 7, Vasin 6, Nababkin 6, Fernandes 7, Kuchaev 6, Golovin 6, Dzagoev 7, Chalov 6, Vitinho 7 / Subs: Gordyushenko 6, Zhamaletdinov 6
Reaction
Unsurprisingly, United fans were full of praise for Pogba and are gutted that he’ll miss the Manchester Derby through suspension…
That killer pass from Pogba. We’ll miss it next week against City. #MUNCSKA
— Abe Halis (@Car_list) December 5, 2017
Me watching united vs city missing Pogba pic.twitter.com/E6tmaLwZX1
— Ribena King (@Mickz_01) December 5, 2017
What a miss Pogba is going to be against City, We look a completely different without him. It’s a shame that he couldn’t play in our biggest game of the season.
— Athul (@athulpkrishnan) December 5, 2017
We’ll definitely miss Pogba against City?
— Omar Ghanem (@JustOmar77) December 5, 2017
I already have my excuse should we lose to City. Of course it’s because Pogba didn’t play.
— Najibullah. (@N_Wali01) December 5, 2017