Source: Manchester_EveningNews
United 3 CSKA Moscow 3
MANCHESTER United qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages after coming from two goals down to draw with CSKA Moscow. Alan Dzagoev put the Russians ahead before Michael Owen levelled with an instinctive finish. However, slack defending allowed Milos Krasic to score before the visitors' extended their lead through Vasili Berezutsky just after half time. United were then denied what looked like a clear penalty when Darren Fletcher was fouled in the box - and the Scottish midfielder was booked for diving to add insult to injury. Federico Macheda hit the inside of the post as United piled on the pressure late on and Paul Scholes pulled a goal back after 84 minutes, heading home from Gary Neville's cross. Antonio Valencia's deflected shot in injury time - which will go down as a Georgi Schennikov own-goal - secured the draw United needed, and Deividas ?emberas was sent off for CSKA late on to add to their misery. United have an irritating penchant for turning a picnic into a panic. This was supposed to be a comfortable evening that would seal qualification as section winners without any heart-stopping moments. It was anything but. It was also going to be the night when Sir Alex Ferguson marked a stand alone record of 100 European wins with the Reds just 48 hours before he celebrated his 23rd anniversary as Old Trafford boss. But those years have taught the Scot that no matter the playing personnel the club seem to like putting everyone through the wringer. The Muscovites had a couple of early long range efforts that suggested they might have a bit more to offer than on their own territory last month but a couple of replies from Fletcher, Owen and Macheda suggested United would take command. However, the central defensive frailties that have beset first choices Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this term seem to have seeped into their deputies make up. Fergie justifiably talked up the qualities of Wes Brown and Jonny Evans before this match but they were nothing like their normal selves as the Russians dug in. Tomas Necid was a particular handful with flicks, turns and chest downs that troubled the Reds defensive pair. It was his chest that turned the ball into the path of Dzagoev after 25 minutes. United danger Brown couldn?t catch the runner and neither could Evans steer him away from danger. The finish from a tight angle also completely out-foxed Edwin Van der Sar who must have thought he had everything covered. It looked like the opener might just be a minor irritating scare as Owen equalised within four minutes after good work by Nani and Valencia set him up for a swivel and shot from his younger glory days. But it did nothing to inspire the unsettled Reds and the Russians were back in front two minutes later with another subtle touch from Necid rendering the Reds rearguard useless and Krasic rounded Van der Sar to score. Not even an uncomfortable ?chat? with Fergie at half time could frighten last season?s finalist into something close to the form that got them to Rome last May and Moscow 12 months before that. Before they could set about rectifying the task they were 3-1 down with yet another horror show in defence allowing a free kick to float to the back post that beat the diminutive Fabio and Macheda, and Berezutski headed in. United should have got back in it via the penalty spot but referee Olegário Benquerença incredibly booked Fletcher for diving when it was clear to most that Aleksei Berezutski swiped his feet from underneath him. Wayne Rooney was relieved of duties knitting booties on the bench and the new dad celebrated the birth of his son by being instrumental in rescuing the dismal Reds. A close range effort from him after 79 minutes saw keeper Igor Akinfeev enhance his reputation as one of the best young stoppers around and one United might yet consider as a future employer. He impressed again soon after when, after Macheda?s header had slammed against a post, Rooney followed up but saw his effort beaten away by the Russian as was a Scholes blockbuster. But he had no answer to a second bite of the cherry from Scholes when the midfielder headed in Neville?s free kick. It was a frantic rather than measured late assault from the Reds, and in the end Valencia's deflected strike was enough. What is your verdict on the game? Have your say. [LNB]
