Rooney rescues Man Utd with Champions League CSKA win

Russian resistance held firm for the majority of the match, with the Eastern European outfit making it more and more frustrating for the home side. United had a couple of penalty appeals turned down in the second half, with one for Rooney that could have been potentially justified, though the referee waved play on.

When Van Gaal brought Anthony Martial off midway through the second half, this was a decision that appeared to be met with more derision and his replacement Marouane Fellaini made little impact.

United leave it late

They say football is a game of inches. That was shown here twice in as many minutes late in the second half when late substitute Seydou Doumbia ran onto a through pass, evaded David de Gea and looked certain to finish before Chris Smalling’s last-gasp sliding block denied him.

Moments later, United were ahead. A game of pingball, saw Michael Carrick dink a delicious ball over for Lingard whose first time cushioned pass saw Rooney head inches past the gloves of Akinfeev for his 30th Champions League goal.

Man City comfortable in Seville

Elsewhere, Manuel Pellegrini’s side eased their last 16 chances considerably with a fairly straightforward 3-1 victory over Sevilla.

Two goals in the opening 15 minutes from Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho gave Manchester City the initiative before Benoit Tremoulinas pulled one back, only for Wilfried Bony to settle matters before half time.

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