MAN UTD 2 CSKA MOSCOW 1
Manchester United extended their unbeaten home record to a remarkable 40 games to equal a 51-year-old club record with victory against CSKA Moscow.
The win ensured the Reds go into the knockout phase of the Champions League as group A winners, though manager Jose Mourinho played down its significance.
“I am not playing for records – the record I wanted was to win the Europa League for the first time.There are more important things than that, though it is nice,” he said.
Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford in a deadly 66-second spell ensured United headed the section with 15 points from a possible 18.
Yet it looked at one stage as though CSKA might inflict a first defeat in 15 months after Alan Dzagoev inadvertently gave them the visitors the lead.
But with United already assured of qualification – but for a crazy set of results on the last day – the game lacked the intensity and sparkle of recent fixtures.
United were still the superior side and Mourinho was highly satisfied as he said: “I am really happy as we didn’t want to qualify with a bad performance.
“The objective was to qualify playing well and with a positive result. We did that and the performance was good as was the attitude.
“We clearly showed at half time we didn’t want to lose. There were good individual performances and collective moments.
“To get 15 points in the season of our return to the Champions League is good.”
Mourinho added he was happy for Lukaku that he ended his goalscoring drought, explaining the way he plays for the team is “amazing”, even when he doesn’t score.
“For him to score in the Champions League makes me feel happy for him, not me.”
Mourinho refused to speculate on the fact United could draw Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the knockout phase.
He said: “I am not the luckiest guy in terms of draws. I should shut up as we only play in February and until then we will concentrate on the English competitions.
“It doesn’t matter which team we get in the draw, they will not be jumping with happiness to play us.”
Mourinho made six changes from the side that won at Arsenal on Saturday.
It was still, though, a side packed with experience and more than capable of completing group A with a 100-per-cent record.
There were changes in defence with Sergio Romero taking over from David De Gea in goal while Daley Blind won a recall.
Forgotten left-back Luke Shaw was given a rare outing at wing back in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Juan Mata behind Lukaku and Rashford.
Ander Herrera also landed a starting spot while Paul Pogba, who is banned for Sunday’s derby, kept his place in the side.
Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young were among the players to stand down.
United ought to have taken the lead in the fourth minute when Lukaku released Rashford whose shot comprehensively beat keeper Igor Akinfeev, but struck the base of the upright.
Rashford went close for a second time after being set up by Mata, but Akinfeev made a smart stop low to his left.
United had another clear-cut chance when Shaw’s volley from Antonio Valencia was parried by Akinfeev, but Lukaku failed to bundle the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.
CSKA posed little threat, their few openings largely down to complacency from United who at times carelessly gave away possession in dangerous areas.
But the Russians stunned United by snatching the lead on the stroke of half time.
Mario Fernandes crossed from the right and Vitinho’s shot flew into the net off the back of Dzagoev.
United began the second half brightly as Rashford forced Akinfeev to fist out his fiercely-struck angled shot.
Rashford also went close with a free kick that was deflected narrowly over the bar.
United, who had looked to be heading towards a first home loss in 15 months, turned the game on its head in an amazing 66 seconds in which they scored twice.
The equaliser in the 64th minute saw Lukaku, with ony one goal in his previous 12 games, end his drought with a terrific volley from Pogba’s lofted through ball.
And that was quickly followed by a deserved goal for Rashford. Mata played a delightful lob over the Russian defence and the striker found the net with a low shot across the face of goal.
United then made three substitutions in quick succession as Herrera, Valencia and Lukaku made way for Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial.
CSKA would have made it 2-2 but for an important saved by the legs of Romero to keep out a shot from the dangerous Dzagoev.