IT WAS A valuable point for Manchester United in Moscow but where there was a high-tempo and controlled second-half, the opening period was awful with some issues remaining.
(1) Marcos Rojo is playing himself out of Old Trafford
The Argentine is a curious case. His name cropped up pre-game when Louis van Gaal was quizzed about the defender owing to his disappointing stint in Moscow with Spartak in the 2011/2012 season. According to local reporters, he was hopeless. Van Gaal (and Wayne Rooney) defended him but it’s difficult to know exactly why he’s in the team.
Essentially, it’s by default.
It’s clear the United manager doesn’t rate him as a full-back but he was back in the starting lineup for last weekend’s clash against Everton, creating Ander Herrera’s goal, as van Gaal decided Daley Blind probably wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play after Holland’s inexplicable Euro exit.
There were rumours just before the new season begun that Rojo could leave the club before the transfer window shut. He failed to make the US pre-season tour because of passport problems and when he arrived back in Manchester, he wasn’t fit and looked noticeably chubbier. Van Gaal was clearly unimpressed but the South American remained.
However, after tonight’s poor display where he was found out positionally on a number of occasions, should’ve conceded a penalty in the second-half after bizarrely mistiming a header and was eventually hooked after 63 minutes (CSKA constantly having joy down their right side), it remains to be seen how long he’ll remain at Old Trafford.
(2) Anthony Martial shows all the signs of a natural goalscorer
The French youngster has now managed five goals in nine appearances for United but it’s the type of goals he’s getting which speaks volumes.
It probably all originates with the first one he tucked away – so confidently and calmly – in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool.
But there was the brace against Southampton too – the superb turn under pressure before knocking home his first and then the casual side-foot finish to grab his second later on.
Against Ipswich in the Capital One Cup, there was another simple, no-fuss finish to the far corner – just opening up his body and rolling it to the net.
And tonight, there was a different kind of Martial goal.
Firstly, it was a header. For those that have monitored the 19-year-old for a while, they’ll say his heading is one area that he needs to improve on. On tonight’s evidence, he’s clearly been working hard.
Martial made it look so easy – neatly caressing a wonderful cross from Antonio Valencia to the far corner – and displaying an innate ability to convert in the area.
Which leads us to winder just why van Gaal felt it necessary to keep him wide throughout the game? It’s not as if United were getting much from their central attacking figure.
(3) Jesse Lingard conjured an encouraging Champions League debut
Van Gaal raised eyebrows in August 2014 when he named Jesse Lingard in his side for his very first Premier League game against Swansea. That day, he started as wing-back but lasted just 24 minutes before being forced off with injury.
It was a cruel blow for him. Entrusted with such responsibility by such a difficult man to please, it was clear he had a fan in van Gaal but he’s had to wait a while to get another chance.
Tonight, he was bright and during a largely dull and insipid first-half from United in particular, Lingard was industrious and looked to make something happen. There was a lovely moment when he deftly knocked the ball between the legs of a CSKA defender and raced past another before running out of space in the area.
Like Martial and, to a less-consistent extent, Memphis, Lingard is a rare breed these days at United – he’s quick and direct and has that youthful exuberance. And perhaps that’s why van Gaal has brought him back into the fold.
There seems a distinct lack of energy in United’s attack. But it’s interesting to note that two summer signings and a young, raw, homegrown talent all carry some similar traits and have all found their way to the starting lineup, despite their age and relative inexperience.
