Manchester United 2 CSKA Moscow 1: Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford secure Champions League qualification for Jose Mourinho

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Tom Doyle5 December 2017

Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford scored two goals in three minutes to earn Manchester United a 2-1 Champions League comeback win over CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford.

CSKA had taken a surprise lead through Alan Dzagoev on the stroke of half-time despite United's appeals for offside, but Jose Mourinho's two strikers hit back in the second half to ensure the Red Devils finished top of Group A to qualify for the knockout stages.

United dominated the opening stages but lack the ruthless edge they showed in the 3-1 win at Arsenal on Saturday, with Marcus Rashford putting a gilt-edged chance against the post.

The hosts were made to pay for their profligacy right before the interval as CSKA broke down the right and a cut-back fell to Vitinho, whose effort deflected in off the back of Dzagoev.

The Russian looked to be in an offside position, but Daley Blind - who slid off the field in the build-up - was still considered active in the move, and the goal was given.

United kept pressing for a route back into the game after the break, and caught CSKA with a one-two sucker punch midway through the half.

Pogba chipped a high ball through to Lukaku, and the striker held off his marker to flick a volley home from close range after 64 minutes.

Barely a minute after celebrating that goal, Lukaku rose high to head on a long ball through to Rashford. The ball ran loose and eventually fell to Mata, who chipped a volleyed pass back over the defence for the young striker to make amends for his earlier miss.

CSKA struggled to make a dent after United took the lead, but almost found a late equaliser as Sergio Romero had to make a smart low save to keep the scores level three minutes from time.

Despite the late scare, United held on to secure a the result which leaves Mourinho's men top of their group to set up a potentially favourable last-16 draw.

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