Source: SKY_Sports
Man Utd v CSKA Moscow live!
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Thanks very much for all your contributions during the game tonight, it was a pulsating end to events. Don't forget, if you want to have more of a say, skysports.com editor Chris Harvey will be chairing a debate on tonight's Champions League action from 10pm.[LNB]90+6 FULL-TIME: After six minutes of injury time, the final whistle goes and it's enough to send United through to the last 16. CSKA appeared to be heading towards a famous win after leading 3-1, but Scholes pulled one back on 84 minutes and Valencia's wayward shot deflected off Schennikov and past Akinfeev in stoppage-time to earn a point for United.[LNB]90+4 RED CARD! The same incident has seen Semberas shown a second yellow card as the game heads towards its conclusion.[LNB]90+4 YELLOW CARD! Obertan has been booked after tangling with Semberas.[LNB]90+4 Rooney has one last crack at securing a win for United, but he curls his effort from 25 yards a bit off target.[LNB]90+2 GOAL! United are back level and in the luckiest of fashions as Valencia's shot is heading well wide of Akinfeev's goal, but takes a wicked deflection off Schennikov and leaves the CSKA keeper with no chance. If you can't be good, be lucky and that just about sums United up tonight.[LNB]90+1 Almost a dream moment for Rooney as he is picked out in the box, he turns sharply, but his shot is blocked.[LNB]90 The fourth official has shown there will be four minutes of added time - enough for United to conjure up an equaliser, although at this stage I think CSKA might hang on.[LNB]89 YELLOW CARD! CSKA substitute Carvalho gets booked for tangling with Evans. Bit harsh as United go on the attack again.[LNB]89 It's close to injury-time, now. How much will United be afforded in their attempts to find an equaliser. Would say there might be four, but you never know at Old Trafford![LNB]87 It's been a monumental effort from CSKA and Schennikov appears to be suffering from a touch of cramp. The referee's not too impressed, though, and orders him off the pitch.[LNB]86 The Old Trafford crowd is finally in good voice, urging United on for the final few minutes. CSKA are rocking, but they could yet pose a threat on the break as United chase an equaliser.[LNB]85 CSKA react to conceding the goal by bringing on Piliev for Necid.[LNB]84 GOAL! United do finally find a way past Akinfeev and once again it's a great cross from the right. Neville whips in a good free-kick and Scholes steams in to glance a header inside the far post. Can they get an equaliser?[LNB]83 Akinfeev appears to be having something to do every minute now as a good piece of play results in Scholes thundering a shot in from the edge of the box and it is pushed over the bar by Akinfeev.[LNB]82 That proves to be Macheda's last involvement as Gabriel Obertan comes on for his United Champions League debut. He's played in the Carling Cup and the Premier League for United, and now the Champions League. Can he make a late impact?[LNB]81 Somehow United are not going to be able to force the ball into the goal. Macheda's header comes crashing back off the post - an excellent effort from the young Italian - and again Rooney is unable to turn the rebound beyond Akinfeev. Once more, the right-hand side is proving United's best outlet and it was another good ball into the box - this time from Valencia.[LNB]79 United should have pulled a goal back and it all stemmed from a perfect cross by Neville from the right. Owen produced a good downward header which was pushed out by Akinfeev straight to Rooney, but he couldn't quite get his shot away quick enough and the CSKA keeper saved with his legs. United certainly wouldn't look silly if they tried to sign Akinfeev.[LNB]78 Another cross from Neville fails to get beyond the near post as it's headed clear by Ignashevich, who seems to have got the CSKA defence organised again following a little dodgy spell.[LNB]76 Again Neville is found in space on the right-hand side following a pass by Valencia, but his low cross to the near post is cleared away by Ignashevich. You've got to beat the first man in that situation.[LNB]75 YELLOW CARD! Macheda picks up a caution for a late challenge on Semberas. Can't really moan about that one. The referee's had a good game, with just the one decision he got wrong being the booking for Fletcher for diving.[LNB]74 At this stage it's hard to see where United are going to score one goal from, never mind the two they need to salvage something from this match. Rooney has yet to stamp himself on this game.[LNB]72 CSKA go for another change as the impressive Dzagoev - can't be long before a Premier League club bid for him - is replaced by Daniel Carvalho.[LNB]72 YELLOW CARD! Semberas is booked for tripping up Owen on the halfway line. What you might call a cynical/professional foul as it stops United from breaking forward quickly.[LNB]70 CSKA decide to make their first change of the night as the experienced Elvir Rahimic comes on for Mamayev, who has had a so-so game.[LNB]69 It's Rooney's turn to try and play a neat pass into the box, but Owen is just having to come back from an offside position first and he can't turn round sharply enough, so the ball runs through to Akinfeev.[LNB]68 Macheda is now trying to make an impact from the left and he almost picks out Rooney with a clever pass, but Iganshevich is over quickly to snuff out the danger.[LNB]67 United try to get in down the right as Fletcher looks to free Neville, but the skipper is unable to get there quickly enough. For me, I think United need Rafael up to full speed soon as he can provide the same impetus on the right as Evra does on the left.[LNB]65 CSKA are looking lively on the counter and almost have a 4-on-4 situation there as Necid is played in on the right of the box, but he can't get the ball out of his feet and he eventually concedes a free-kick.[LNB]63 United are trying to increase the tempo now and have another attempt as Neville whips in a cross from the right and Rooney glances the ball wide of the far post. CSKA do look vulnerable at the back, but they still have a threat on the break.[LNB]61 United sting the gloves of Akinfeev as Scholes hits a superb low free-kick from about 30 yards which is pushed out and then fired back in by Valencia. The offside flag goes up against Owen, though, so any rebound effort would not have counted.[LNB]60 Aldonin has a tame shot which dribbles wide of Van der Sar's goal. United will hope the introductions of Rooney and Evra can inject a spark which has been missing from most of the performance so far.[LNB]59 United quickly make another change as Patrice Evra comes on for Fabio. For me, Evra adds so much to United's game with his ability to get forward. It's definitely noticed when he is not playing.[LNB]58 Don't think Nani can have any complaints with being taken off again. He's delivery has been generally poor and he has not looked capable of taking players on. Macheda has gone to the left wing.[LNB]58 United boss Ferguson reacts to the situation and it's Nani who is coming off as Rooney comes on. That could see Macheda move out to the wing, unless Rooney is going to play on the left.[LNB]57 United have a half-chance as Fletcher spreads the ball out wide to Neville and he plays in a good cross with his left foot, but Macheda is unable to divert it past Akinfeev.[LNB]56 An email I was going to mention just before CSKA scored their third remains a very valid point with D Moulesy saying United are lacking pace without Ronaldo. They certainly don't have the speed to break forward as quickly as they used to. Rooney's ready to come on, meanwhile.[LNB]54 YELLOW CARD! Aldonin goes into the referee's notebook after catching Scholes on the knee. Not a malicious challenge, just a little mis-timed. Correct decision by the official. Not surprisingly, Neville is still complaining about the booking for Fletcher.[LNB]53 The Russians are starting to look a little shaky at the back and don't defend from that throw-in very well as Nani's curling cross is scrambled clear with the aid of a deflection off Valencia.[LNB]52 CSKA give themselves problems of their own as Akinfeev is put under pressure by a poor back-pass and he is forced to slice the ball out of play for a throw-in.[LNB]51 United certainly weren't happy with that decision from the referee. It could well have been a game-changing one as well. Rooney is starting to warm up, so surely can't be long before he comes on for Macheda.[LNB]49 YELLOW CARD! Darren Fletcher has just been booked for diving. Fletcher is clearly tripped in the area by the goalscorer Berezutsky, yet the referee says it was a dive. Can't believe that decision, although United should probably have made more of the opportunity anyway.[LNB]48 United need to be careful or else they are going to be on the end of a rout. CSKA break again there, but Krasic is just unable to get away from the home defence.[LNB]47 GOAL! CSKA have made it 3-1 and United have not heeded Ferguson's warning to improve their defending. A deep free-kick from the left goes all the way to the back post and nobody picks up Vasili Berezutsky's run and he heads it back across goal and beyond Van der Sar. Not the start United had in mind to the second half.[LNB]46 We're back underway with United kicking off. No changes made at half-time, so how long will it be before the new daddy in town Rooney is thrown into action?[LNB] Daniel Spridgeon watches a fair bit of the Russian league and he thinks Dzagoev is a real talent and should be signed by United as a replacement for Scholes. He certainly has some of the attributes of a young Scholes and looks a threat every time he's on the ball.[LNB] Some half-time opinions and Mithun is going for a 3-2 United win despite admitting the game has not turned out as he hoped, while Ciaran wants Obertan to be thrown on in place of Nani.[LNB] We've got the half-time odds in and United are still favourites: 6/4 Man u 17/10 draw 19/10 CSKA. Skybet say: "CSKA are still just the outsiders despite leading. However it might just all be set up for new father Wayne Rooney to come on and rescue United."[LNB]45 HALF-TIME: The whistle goes for half-time at Old Trafford and United find themselves 2-1 down. Dzagoev fired CSKA in front and then Krasic restored the lead following Owen's equaliser. United are playing in fits and starts at the moment, while CSKA are looking dangerous on the break. Email in your thoughts ahead of the second half to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]45+1 Good one-two between Nani and Macheda, with the Italian's clever flick finding the Portuguese, but his 25-yard shot is deflected wide.[LNB]45 United are starting to work Akinfeev as the first half draws to a close. Urged on by cries of 'Shoot' from the crowd, Scholes lets rip from 25 yards and his shot is pushed away by Akinfeev. It was a good height for the keeper to save, but he did well to make sure it was pushed away from danger.[LNB]45 Maybe I should question players a bit more. Macheda does very well, collecting Neville's fired-in pass on the edge of the box before turning smartly and drilling a left-footed effort that is well held by Akinfeev.[LNB]43 You can certianly notice the gulf in experience between Owen and Macheda for United. Owen is constantly on the move, trying to drop into space and good positions, while Macheda, who can't be faulted, is just lacking that game intelligence at this stage of his career over where to make his runs and when to be close to Owen and when to drop away.[LNB]41 Good news for Katie, as she is now off to the pub while Lee in New York thinks it's too early for a change as he feels fighting for a result might be the experience the younger players need.[LNB]40 CSKA are very bright on the ball and Dzagoev, in particular, is very clever. He plays a good ball to split the United defence, but it is just too far ahead of Krasic, who tried to sneak in front of Evans.[LNB]39 United spread the play well with Scholes putting Neville into space on the right. He slips in Valencia, who forces a corner which is headed wide of the post by Brown.[LNB]37 Krasic, who I think has been linked with United in the past, is starting to show off a few skills and step-overs. CSKA look a completely different team to the one which lost at home two weeks ago. Spurs may testify that it's always a boost when you get rid of Juande Ramos![LNB]36 United just seem to be less certain in possession than CSKA when they get near to their opponents' box. Fletcher fed Valencia on that occasion, but the winger stumbled around on the ball and CSKA had a good chance to break.[LNB]35 CSKA have a good opportunity to put more pressure on the United defence, but Krasic's free-kick from the right is too deep.[LNB]34 It's been quite a lax display from United so far, maybe they are already thinking they are through to the last 16. Can see the famous hairdryer coming out from Ferguson at half-time and would not be surprised to see Rooney on the charge in the second half.[LNB]33 United must respond again. Macheda feeds the ball to Nani on the corner of the box, but it's a disappointing cross and CSKA are able to snuff out the danger.[LNB]31 GOAL! CSKA are back in front and United don't quite know what's hit them. Nobody follows Krasic's run into the box and he collects Necid's pass, takes it past Van der Sar, does a quick pirhouette before lifting his shot into the net. Another good goal from CSKA, and it was the right decision from the linesman to keep his flag down.[LNB]29 GOAL! United are level and it's Owen, showing the predatory instincts of old. Nani's touch from Valencia's cross finds Owen in space, and just onside, and he is quick to fire his shot past the exposed Akinfeev. It's Owen's first Champions League goal in five years.[LNB]28 Griff is following this game from Moscow, Pennsylvania and is hoping Owen will score tonight. Rachel, meanwhile, suggests Katie should ask to go home to put some trainers on as her feet are cold before running to the pub to cheer on Owen. United certainly need some cheering up now.[LNB]27 Just when United thought they may be taking a grip of the game, CSKA have caught them on the hop. The visitors have been on a threat on the break and United must now respond. Scholes tries, but he was offside in any case as his shot is off target.[LNB]25 GOAL! CSKA take the lead and it is caught a few by surprise, not least Van der Sar. Dzagoev nips in behind the defence and appears to have taken the ball too close to the bye-line before smashing a left-foot shot past Van der Sar, who has no time to react. Well that's put the cat among the pigeons.[LNB]24 YELLOW CARD! First booking of the night as Necid is cautioned for handball in the box after climbing for a free-kick. Possibly a little harsh.[LNB]23 United come close to scoring again and I'm still not sure how Macheda's shot didn't go in there. He turned well on the edge of the box and his left-foot effort appeared to be creeping inside the post only to take a look at the upright and turn its nose up before drifting wide.[LNB]23 We're at the midway point of the first half now and it has not quite gone on as hoped, although United are slowly gaining control.[LNB]21 CSKA certainly aren't afraid to have a pot shot at goal from distance - it's Semberas again, but that's perhaps the wildest effort so far as it slices slightly off his right foot and is well wide of Van der Sar's goal. CSKA are doing well at exploiting the space between United's defence and midfield.[LNB]19 Nani does his bit to help out in defence, but was perhaps lucky not to give away a free-kick as he appeared to trip Necid 25 yards from goal. Would have been a dangerous position for CSKA, so a sigh of relief for Nani.[LNB]18 Again, United respond with Owen as the ball breaks kindly for him inside the box and, after Macheda wisely leaves the ball after standing in an offside position, Owen is only able to prod his shot straight at Akinfeev. Would the Owen of old taken that chance? He is normally one to take advantage of a moment's confusion in the opposing defence, but he's just taking time to warm up tonight.[LNB]17 United have been trying to get on top in this game, but CSKA are looking dangerous on the break. Dzagoev feeds Necid on the edge of the box and his well-struck drive is straight at Van der Sar.[LNB]15 Katie is following the game in Los Angeles and she's sat in a boring history lecture wearing her Owen shirt and flip flops. She needs a reason to leave to head for the pub. Anyone got any suggestions? Perhaps she could suggest she is going to research some Russian history?[LNB]14 United have their first serious attempt of the match as Fletcher collects the ball 25 yards from goal. It is a firm strike from the Scottish midfielder, but it is just arcing away from the goal and flies narrowly past Akinfeev's right-hand post.[LNB]14 Some mixed views on Nani, with Kish feeling he has not had enough chance to shine, while Victor wants to see him gone in January.[LNB]12 United's front two of Macheda and Owen look to combine with the Italian teenager trying to play in his more experienced partner, but the pass is just too strong. Owen showing good movement, he now just needs to untie his feet when he gets a chance.[LNB]11 Nani's run in that passage of play helped to lift the tempo and he was good at carrying the ball down the wing in the away game two weeks ago. However, his delivery was poor in Moscow - aside from the one cross which led to the goal - and it is to be hoped he has been working on that in training.[LNB]10 United cut through the CSKA defence superbly well there, but Owen's finishing lets him down. The move started with a good run from Nani infield from the left and he eventually slipped in Valencia inside the box. Valencia's pull-back to the unmarked Owen was good, but the striker mis-kicked his shot and the chance goes begging. Not the first time that has happened to Owen this season.[LNB]8 CSKA have a chance to put in a good delivery from the right touchline following a foul on Krasic, but Dzagoev's cross is poor and easily claimed by Van der Sar. United try to break, but Nani's loose pass is intercepted 25 yards from goal.[LNB]7 Think I may have jinxed things! As soon as I said it was end-to-end, the tempo's drop markedly with United struggling to maintain possession as CSKA hurry their hosts on the ball.[LNB]6 Not sure if Nani's had a touch of the ball yet, but do you think tonight's the night when he really has to grasp his chance as he has been disappointing this season? Email in at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com.[LNB]4 Another sloppy piece of play from United and it's the veterans who are giving the ball away. Scholes has been a bit slow and then Neville plays an aimless ball across field which is easily picked out. United do need to brush up when they're on the ball.[LNB]3 It's end-to-end stuff and I'm struggling to keep up! Great ball over the top from Neville sends Valencia away and he perhaps takes one touch too many before his shot is blocked away for a corner. Let's hope the games stays at this tempo.[LNB]2 In the first two minutes, CSKA are already looking more dangerous than they did at home as Semberas chances his arm from 25 yards and his low drive is just wide of Van der Sar's right post.[LNB]2 United respond straight away as Gary Neville curls in a good cross, but the referee blows for a foul as Macheda challenges Akinfeev for the ball. The CSKA keeper is highly rated, and is a rumoured target for United, so he will be out to impress tonight.[LNB]1 CSKA are quickly on the front foot and have a shot inside the opening 30 seconds. Catching United in a 3-on-2 situation, Dzagoev opts to shoot from 25 yards and his effort is off target.[LNB]0 CSKA get the game underway. I'm sure they will want to perform better than they did on home soil.[LNB] Just before kick-off, we can give you the odds for tonight's game, which are: 1/3 United 10/3 Draw 7/1 CSKA[LNB] On the big Wayne Rooney question, Jason Wathey feels he had to ask for Coleen's permission to be involved tonight, while Akshay Bist doesn't think the United striker would have wanted to miss tonight's match.[LNB] We've got a couple of emails in opposing most of the views so far tonight Matty Henney feeling United's weakened team could be found out against CSKA, while Jason in Birmingham is predicting a 3-1 win for the Russian side.[LNB] One other thing to mention is you can join skysports.com editor Chris Harvey at 10pm tonight for a live debate on the Champions League action from this evening.[LNB] A bit more feedback as we count down the minutes to kick-off with James in Margate and Paris Thomas in Bodmin both predicting goals, the former goes for 5-2 and the latter 4-0 - both tipping United, and not CSKA! Jordan Clarke, meanwhile, feels Rooney is only the bench because he has yet to come up with a suitable baby-related celebration for if he scores. Any suggestions?[LNB]CSKA Moscow team: Akinfeev; Schennikov, Ignashevich, V Berezutsky, A Berezutsky; Mamayev, Aldonin, Semberas, Krasic; Dzagoev, Necid. Subs: Pomazan, Daniel Carvalho, Maazou, Odiah, Rahimic, Piliev, Grigoriev.[LNB] We've now got the CSKA team in and new coach Leonid Slutski has made two changes from the team which lost 1-0 at home to United a fortnight ago. Elvir Rahimic and Chidi Odiah are the players who go out of the team as Pavel Mamayev and Evgeniy Aldonin come into the starting line-up.[LNB] I've forgotten to ask the big question of the night up to now as well!! Do you think Rooney asked for his statutory two weeks' paternity leave following the birth of his baby boy Kai yesterday? Given his presence on the bench for United tonight, do we need to guess what Ferguson's answer would have been if he had asked?[LNB] Anthony in California feels Fergie has picked his League Cup team tonight, with the odd exception, Paul in Toronto is happy to see Fletcher back in the team, feeling he helps to bring out the best in Scholes, while Mithun in India is going for a 2-0 win and hopes the game can be wrapped up early so Fletcher can be rested for the final half hour.[LNB] Lee in New York and Tyler in Penzance are both predicting an easy 3-0 win for United tonight, with Lee believing Fletcher to be a very important player for United.[LNB] You can email in your thoughts on tonight's game to me at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com. Do you think Sir Alex Ferguson has got one eye on the Chelsea game on Sunday with his team selection for tonight? How important is that Fletcher is back in the side for United? And is it a good chance for Fabio and Macheda to get some Champions League experience?[LNB]Man Utd team: Van der Sar; Neville, Brown, Evans, Fabio; Valencia, Scholes, Fletcher, Nani; Macheda, Owen. Subs: Kuszczak, O'Shea, Anderson, Evra, Rooney, Gibson, Obertan[LNB] The team news for United has reached us and Sir Alex Ferguson has made six changes from the team which started Saturday's 2-0 win over Blackburn in the Premier League. Gary Neville and Fabio replace John O'Shea and Patrice Evra in the full-back positions, while Wes Brown and Jonny Evans continue at centre-half in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. There is a double change in the centre of midfield as the fit-again Darren Fletcher starts alongside Paul Scholes in place of Michael Carrick and Anderson. There are also two changes up front as Michael Owen pairs up with Federico Macheda as new dad Wayne Rooney takes up a place on the bench.[LNB] Welcome to our live coverage of Manchester United's Group B encounter against CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford, with the Premier League champions looking for the win that will guarantee a place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.[LNB]
