Man United Vs CSKA Moscow: Skipper Wayne Rooney ends goal drought
Champions League Group B standings after Matchday Four
Six hours and 44 minutes of football had elapsed since United last found the back of the net, coincidentally in the reverse fixture against CSKA in Moscow, before Rooney headed Jesse Lingard’s cross home on 79 minutes.
Despite United dominating large spells, the game hinged on an action-packed minute prior to Rooney’s goal, with David de Gea and Chris Smalling both denying Seydou Doumbia with last-gasp blocks before the hosts forced the breakthrough.
United headed into the game looking to avoid a fourth consecutive goalless draw, something which has never happened in the club’s history.
The CSKA Moscow coach felt the Ivorian striker’s miss was a turning point in his side’s 1-0 defeat against Louis van Gaal’s men
Leonid Slutsky was left to lament Seydou Doumbia’s crucial miss after CSKA Moscow lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The Ivory Coast striker saw his initial shot kept out by David de Gea before being thwarted at the second attempt by in-form defender Chris Smalling after 77 minutes.
Two minutes later, Wayne Rooney headed in United’s first goal in 404 minutes to secure maximum points for the hosts, and disappoint the CSKA coach.
“We tried to counter-attack. I think the [chance] with Seydou Doumbia contributed to the final result,” he said. “It’s difficult to create chances in a game against Manchester United.”
Rooney netted to end his own personal goal drought of four games and despite claims Jesse Lingard had been in an offside position before assisting the England international, Slutsky avoided speculating.
“I don’t really want to comment [about the goal] because I haven’t seen the replay yet. There was a big probability that United would create a lot of chances and we had to be attentive to that,” he said.
“The players were not afraid. As I said, it’s always difficult to play against such a strong team as Manchester United. We didn’t have lots of possession, just as in the first game in Moscow.”
United are top of Group B on seven points, three clear of CSKA – who are bottom.
