Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa cut a frustrated figure on Tuesday night as Manchester United defeated CSKA Moscow 1-0 in their Champions League Group B clash at Old Trafford.
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United jumped to the top of their Champions League group with a scrappy victory, Rooney stepping up late when the match looked destined to finish goalless. When we think it is better, I do that.
“You were saying defending is our problem and I said no, defensive organisation starts with the -attackers”, Van Gaal said. The Reds created a second chance when Rooney nearly played a flawless through ball to Jesse Lingard, but CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev came out to smother at Lingard’s feet. Wayne Rooney is always the centre of attention and I always have to answer questions about Wayne Rooney.
“It is always Wayne Rooney”. Initially Martial played as a winger in place of the injured Memphis Depay, although he played well but wasn’t able to be as effective as was required of him, then in the second half he exchanged places with Rooney who was playing striker but still was not able to score and the match ended but the credit should be given to Crystal Palace who played beautifully and were denied a few great chances and the match ended.
The importance of Smalling’s intervention became immediately clear as United went down the field and procured the goal their supporters craved, with Carrick’s deep pass superbly volleyed back across goal by Lingard for Rooney to head home his seventh goal of the campaign.
With the teams stacked up so closely, every win is vital and for United and CSKA, a win here may see them hold the top spot of the competition.
Louis van Gaal felt vindicated by Wayne Rooney’s victor against CSKA Moscow after his decision to take off Anthony Martial was widely booed at Old Trafford.
Asked about the fans’ reaction, Van Gaal told a news conference after the game: “Of course I heard that”.
“That is the opinion of the fans”.
Despite United’s win, Van Gaal admitted that his team were in debt to goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Chris Smalling – who Van Gaal this time called Michael after introducing him as Mike in pre-season – for their crucial block on Seydou Doumbia’s shot two minutes before Rooney’s goal.
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“Doumbia, that was the only attack of CSKA Moscow (when) a player of Manchester United stepped in on the wrong way”, said Van Gaal, whose side now lead PSV Eindhoven and Wolfsburg by a point.
