5 talking points ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League match against CSKA Moscow
Manchester United host CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday. Here, we look at five talking points ahead of the Group B encounter at Old Trafford. Will the goal drought end? United have not scored since Anthony Martial beat Igor Akinfeev with a diving header in the reverse fixture a […]
Manchester United host CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday. Here, we look at five talking points ahead of the Group B encounter at Old Trafford.
Will the goal drought end?
United have not scored since Anthony Martial beat Igor Akinfeev with a diving header in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago. A 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby should not be sniffed at, but United never looked like scoring in the goalless draw against Crystal Palace last Saturday, and they could not find the net in 120 minutes’ worth of action against Middlesbrough, losing the Capital One Cup tie on penalties. United have not scored in 325 minutes and that drought needs to end as soon as possible.
SEE MORE: Van Gaal hits back, says Old Trafford ‘was not always the big Theatre of Dreams.’
Then who will provide the goals?
Good question. Wayne Rooney is lacking confidence at the moment, but Louis van Gaal is a big fan of the captain and the United boss is in no mood to drop him. The good news for the 30-year-old and for Van Gaal is that Rooney has found most success so far this season in the Champions League. He scored a hat trick against Club Brugge in the playoff round and Van Gaal will be hoping he can be just as prolific against CSKA. Martial is the most potent weapon in United’s armoury but he has been dumped out on the left wing.
What are the chances of Martial being played down the middle?
Slim, on the face of it. Although Martial’s deployment down the left has coincided with United’s barren run in front of goal, Van Gaal knows best and he does not want it to appear like he is losing faith in Rooney, who is the only untouchable player in his lineup.
SEE MORE: Ancelotti an option for Chelsea, but he’s a better fit with Manchester United.
Are United likely to win?
Not if their recent record against Russian opposition is anything to go by. The club have never won against a Russian side at home in the three attempts. They have only won one of eight meetings with Russian opposition, but that victory was against CSKA in 2009 when Antonio Valencia scored the only goal in the match in the Russian capital.
Who are CSKA’s dangermen?
Seydou Doumbia must have something against Manchester because he ups his game every time he plays against teams from the city. He scored the opening goal in the 1-1 draw against United last month and the Ivorian scored five goals in four matches against City over the last two years. Zoran Tosic made just five appearances for United during a disappointing one-year spell at Old Trafford so he will be looking to prove a point against his former club too.
