Manchester United produced a second-half turnaround to seal top spot in Group A, after CSKA Moscow took a shock lead at Old Trafford in the two sides’ Champions League encounter.
Two goals in the space of a minute in the second period saw United turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 win, after CSKA had struck right on the cusp of halftime.
Here are two good and two bad performances from United’s victory.
TWO GOOD
Luke Shaw
The much-maligned left-back was handed his first start of the season, and played like he had a point to prove. He was a menace in attack down the left flank, taking his opportunities to run at the CSKA defence whenever he had the chance. Shaw was caught out at times defensively, and was partially at fault for the Moscow goal, but he also put in a few good recovering tackles and showed that he has worked on that side of his game as well.
Shaw looked impressive on his first start of the season.
Juan Mata
Mata has been relegated to the bench in recent times, making only three starts since being hauled off at halftime during United’s October loss to Huddersfield and not featuring at all in the club’s crucial clashes against Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal. But on Tuesday, it was Mata at his best, picking out pockets of space for himself, making dangerous forward runs to provide an outlet in attack, and laying on chances for his teammates. It was his flick – with his weaker right foot, no less – that set-up Marcus Rashford for United’s winner.
Juan Mata was United’s best attacking player on the night.
TWO BAD
Aleksandr Golovin
The young CSKA midfielder didn’t have his best display. In fairness, having to handle Paul Pogba‘s marauding runs and Mata drifting all over the pitch to find space isn’t easy, but it was clear that the 21-year-old wasn’t up to the task. Golovin moved the ball well, but otherwise offered little control in midfield. He also was dispossessed far too easily, allowing United to develop their attacks further up the pitch.
It wasn’t the best of outings for 21-year-old Aleksandr Golovin.
Viktor Vasin
Vasin was at fault for both of United’s goals, and that cost his side their chance at a shock result. After United’s bright start, the hosts were struggling to break down CSKA’s defence, but in the space of a minute, Vasin was beaten by both of home team’s strikers, and both times, the striker in question scored. First, he allowed Romelu Lukaku to get goal side of him on a run, and the Belgian duly poked home United’s equaliser. Then, Lukaku’s flicked header ultimately fell to Mata, who produced a flick of his own – sublime skill, it must be said – over Vasin’s head, for Rashford to sweep home.
Vasin was beaten twice in the space of a minute as United turned the game around.
