After a successful weekend in the Premier League, Manchester United head to Russia to play CSKA Moscow in a group stage fixture of the Champions League. Louis van Gaal will have been delighted with the outcome at the Goodison Park in the weekend as his team not only got all three points but also kept a clean sheet.
Moscow, on the other hand, are fresh from a 3-2 victory in the weekend and will be ready to test the Red Devils on their home turf. This article is Preview of the match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United. It also includes Team News, Predictions and expected Line-ups.
The Champions League group stage fixture between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United will be played on Wednesday the 21st of October at the Arena Khimki in Moscow, Russia. The kick-off is scheduled at 7:45 pm BST (12:15 am on Thursday IST).
Team News:
The home team will miss the services of experienced central defender Vasili Berezutski and midfielder Bibras Natcho. Natcho will be a big miss for the hosts as he has been in great form leading into this season. However, goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev will be available for selection after recovering from a knock he picked up recently.
Manchester United will not look too much into their injuries as most of their first team players are available for selection. Antonio Valencia and Sergio Romero have returned to the squad for this game. The Red Devils will miss Ashley Young and Luke Shaw who are on the long-term injury list. James Wilson and Paddy McNair are the only other absentees.
United and Van Gaal will hope that they can replicate their performance at the Goodison Park. Wayne Rooney scored for them on the day ending his drought and will hope to lead the line against CSKA. Valencia has been determined at the back and has given a great account of himself and will most probably prove hard to beat for the home team.
Doumbia has been in sparkling form so far this season in the domestic league and the Champions League. He will be the most important player for the hosts and United will have to keep a close eye on him if they want to limit the danger he causes with his pace. The free-scoring CSKA team may pose problems to the United defense and this calls for a very interesting game on Wednesday.
Expected Line-ups:
CSKA Moscow:
Akinfeev, Fernandes, Berezutski, Ignashevic, Schennikov, Eremenko, Wernbloom, Tosic, Dzagoev, Ahmed, Doumbia
Manchester United:
De Gea, Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Mata, Herrera, Young, Rooney
Predictions:
Manchester United have somewhat found the right balance in the squad and look like a team growing in confidence by the day. The new summer signings have settled into the squad well and are slowly showing their class. Van Gaal will hope that his team sticks to the basics and delivers on the day away from home against CSKA.
Our Predictions:
CSKA Moscow 1-3 Manchester United
ODDS:
United to win: 8/5
CSKA to win: 15/8
Draw: 21/10