Manchester United clinched top spot in Group A of the UEFA Champions League as they came from behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
There was an element of controversy as the visitors grabbed a shock lead through Vitinho on the stroke of half-time as Alan Dzagoev appeared to be offside in the buildup of the goal. Manchester United put that disappointment aside to script a fine comeback and keep their unbeaten home run intact.
A 66-second burst helped seal all three points and progress safely into the Round of 16 as Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford returned to goalscoring ways, through two fantastic team goals. And fans celebrated as the Belgian striker produced one of his best performances of the season to indicate a return to form.
Lukaku’s all round game has come up in leaps an bounds these past weeks. Not scoring but contributing hugely. Almost unplayable at the moment.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) December 5, 2017
Romelu Lukaku needed that goal badly. Fantastic for him. The Pogba-Lukaku connection is back.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) December 5, 2017
Lukaku off for Martial. Tonight arguably Lukaku’s best performance since August. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 5, 2017
Lukaku proving his worth, and I don’t mean his goal. He’s so much more than goals alone.
— Stephen Howson ?? (@MrStephenHowson) December 5, 2017
Lukaku’s goal. Great to see him on the scoresheet ahead of the City match. Good confidence boost! pic.twitter.com/EYCsdZbsPA
— Busby Bulletin (@BusbyBulletin) December 5, 2017
Paul Pogba was a major catalyst of the win, and fans are understandably fretting his absence from Sunday’s derby.
When I remember that Pogba is banned for the derby. pic.twitter.com/E65bsgdboY
— Doc (@Doc_Joshi) December 5, 2017
Pogba is making me already miss him for the derby. mxm
— ♡#MUFC Girl♡ (@reshmikasingh) December 5, 2017
When you wake up after witnessing a Pogba Masterclass but realise he’s out for the derby on Sunday pic.twitter.com/30bL8mVDPR
— ?hargav (@ThatIndianGuy) December 6, 2017
Pogba with 3 assists in his last 2 games. He’s in ridiculous form. Gutted he’s banned for the Derby.
— Jaydn (@JaydnMUFC) December 5, 2017
The more I watch Pogba, the more it hurts me that he’s missing the derby. What a huge player, we’re a completely different team without him.
— Rayane Moussallem (@RioMoussallem) December 5, 2017
But, the night belonged to Luke Shaw, who was making his first start of the season, and was a standout performer for the hosts.
The Shaw flank redemption https://t.co/Zuw2OSwbNN
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) December 5, 2017
Luke Shaw so far. pic.twitter.com/bzR9kjxSoH
— Vindelöf (@SemperFiUtd) December 5, 2017
The real Luke Shaw has turned up tonight. And damn it’s been a long time since we’ve seen him.
— Hayley B (@Hayles_101) December 5, 2017
Luke Shaw in that half wow. Possibly his best 45 mins in a United shirt, he was incredible. Overlapping runs, perfectly time tackled and even getting in the box. Biggest positive so far. #mufc
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) December 5, 2017
I would rather give Southampton £50m extra for Luke Shaw than give Tottenham £50m for Danny Rose. Fact. #mufc
— ?️idaN (@AidanMUFC_) December 5, 2017
Mourinho: “A very positive performance, especially with the balls going forward. Creating a lot, great intensity in his game. Shaw is going to get more chances.” pic.twitter.com/ygojYICk4f
— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) December 6, 2017
So chuffed for Luke Shaw. People keep forgetting that he’s just 22. To keep coming back from potential career ending injuries at that age requires an incredible amount of mental strength. I can’t imagine what he’s been through, he thoroughly deserved every bit of praise he gets.
— LJ (@Mourinholxgy) December 6, 2017
Luke Shaw is looking promising in this match. I wonder how good he can be if it wasn’t for all those injuries he’s suffered? He definitely has the talent as proven in his Southampton days
— SCHOLES (@iamscholes) December 5, 2017
Needs to build on tonight, but Luke Shaw is United’s best left-back when he plays like he did against CSKA. His finest performance since the start of 2015-16. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 6, 2017
Tonight will be remembered as the night Luke Shaw revived his United career. pic.twitter.com/nJ9MIsXv7Z
— J.A.O (@JuanAnderOnly) December 5, 2017