Manchester United picked up their first victory in five games this evening courtesy of a 1-0 triumph over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney's header with a little over 10 minutes remaining proved to be the decisive moment in the match as the under-fire skipper finished off Jesse Lingard's volleyed cross.
That came just moments after CSKA had squandered a glorious chance of their own, however, with first David de Gea and then Chris Smalling denying Seydou Doumbia.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether United deserved to claim the three points which take them to the top of Group B.
Match statistics
MAN UTD
Shots: 15
On target: 5
Possession: 69%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 13
CSKA MOSCOW
Shots: 5
On target: 3
Possession: 31%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 11
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. Indeed, it is a wonder how Manchester United didn't have this match wrapped up long before Rooney planted home his header for what proved to be the only goal of the game. There was only ever one team in it from start to finish, with United dominating possession and CSKA offering precious little at the other end of the field. Crucially, and unlike recent weeks, United actually looked dangerous in possession too, creating a host of chances in the first half.
Their left flank was proving particularly fruitful, with Marcos Rojo getting forward whenever possible. He and Lingard squandered arguably the best two chances of the first half, but Rooney and Juan Mata also had sights of goal and the hosts would have been wondering how they weren't ahead at the break. Rojo and Anthony Martial also had openings in the early stages of the second half, but after that the chances dried up a little as CSKA began to stem the tide.
United were still very much in control, but when Doumbia was introduced 10 minutes after the restart the visitors did at least begin to show glimpses of an attacking threat. Indeed, they could and should have taken the lead through Doumbia's chance just a minute before Rooney broke the deadlock. That would have been the ultimate smash-and-grab, however, and would have been very harsh on United. There is no doubt that the hosts deserve this victory tonight and, while it should have been more than one, Louis van Gaal will be relieved having been made to sweat for it in the end.
Man Utd's performance
The fans inside Old Trafford left Van Gaal and the players in no doubt what they wanted to see this evening. Chants of 'Attack! Attack! Attack!' began after just a couple of minutes, while the decision to swap Martial with Marouane Fellaini in the second half was greeted with boos and quickly followed by a chorus of 'We're Man United, we want to attack'. The frustration on the terraces was borne out of no goals in their last three matches, and for a while it looked as though that might stretch to four for the first time since 1992.
In the end, the drought was stopped at 404 minutes, but there were plenty of encouraging signs before that. Van Gaal tweaked his tactics and played closer to a 4-4-2 than his usual system, with both Martial and Rooney up front. He had clearly asked his side to show more attacking intent too, as the opening 45 minutes was among the best football that they have played this season. They were quickly on the front foot and eager to get players forward and in the box whenever possible, including the full-backs.
The only thing missing from that first-half performance was a goal, but that wasn't down to a lack of chances. The second half was not quite as swashbuckling from the hosts, and it remains to be seen whether they can carry out a more positive style of play for a full 90 minutes, as Sir Alex Ferguson's sides often did. Questions do still linger, then, but this was certainly a step in the right direction for United and, despite only scoring one goal in the end, fans will be hoping that the first-half display especially is a sign of things to come.
CSKA Moscow's performance
The visitors were dealt a major blow before the match even kicked off when star player Doumbia was only deemed fit enough for the bench due to a muscle problem, and that set the tone for the vast majority of this evening's game. CSKA looked so bright in the first half a fortnight ago, with their pace on the counter causing problems, but there was simply none of that tonight. The first half in particular was one-way traffic, with United camped in the opposition half and Ahmed Musa unable to make any sort of impact up front.
Musa's pace did come to the fore when he was moved out to his favoured wide role, however, which was brought about by Doumbia's introduction. The visitors can only speculate on what might have happened had Doumbia started the game, but they certainly looked like a more threatening outfit with him on the field. That said, the Ivory Coast forward really should have scored moments before Rooney's goal, if not with his first effort then certainly with his second.
CSKA set up for that sort of smash-and-grab win, with a negative approach for the majority of the game as they packed men behind the ball waiting for that one chance. In truth, it was a very disappointing display from the Russian side, who showed in the reverse fixture that they do have the tools to cause United problems. Some credit should go to them for keeping the hosts at bay for so long despite being under relentless pressure, but they were comfortably second best from start to finish tonight and are lucky to have only lost by one.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Marcos Rojo: The Argentine defender was taken off in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago having struggled defensively, but he had much less of that to do today. He was able to focus on attack and he got forward at every available opportunity, always providing an outlet and delivering a number of good crosses into the box. He was a regular visitor to the area himself too and, while he missed a couple of very good chances, his positive play was reason for optimism as far as United fans are concerned.
Biggest gaffe
Take nothing away from De Gea and Smalling for their respective saves, but Doumbia really should have scored with a glorious chance 12 minutes from time. The sub found himself clean through on goal and, while his first miss can be put down to a good piece of goalkeeping, he should have fired the next effort higher into the net knowing that Ashley Young was already on the line and Smalling was coming across. Instead, he hit it low and Smalling was able to make a fine block. It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that may cost his side a place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Referee performance
Szymon Marciniak was the man in the middle today, and he had a decent game overall. The Pole had a few penalty shouts to deal with, perhaps the most vociferous of which saw Young take a tumble in the box. Not for the first time in his career, though, the United man had ensured contact by throwing his own leg out and the ref saw that and correctly awarded the goal kick.
What next?
Man Utd: Next up for United is a home tie with West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.
CSKA Moscow: CSKA, meanwhile, face another lengthy trip domestically at the weekend as they take on Krasnodar on Sunday.
Barney Corkhill
