CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United Preview and Live Score: Champions League 2009-10

It should not have been a very big match for Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United but because of two factors, it has become a very important match for Man U. First of all, the club is suffering from a number of injuries of key players. On the other hand, the performance of English teams in Moscow was never that good. So, it is perhaps going to be very tough for the Red Devils to defeat CSKA Moscow in tomorrow’s match of Champions League 2009-10. It will be a match of Group B.

Match: CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United

Date: 21 October 2009 Wednesday

Venue: Luzhniki Stadium

Starting Time: 1730 BST

In group B, Manchester United has played two matches and they have got maximum six points out of these two matches. The only thing that they should be concerned is perhaps that they only scored three goals in the two matches but their defensive record is also good. On the other hand, CSKA Moscow also played two matches and they have one match and lost one. In fact, in the opening day on 15 September 2009, CSKA Moscow suffered a crushing defeat against Wolfsburg and then on match state too that took place on 13 September 2009, they defeated Besiktas by 2-1. So, you can understand that their condition is some shaky.

The current form of Manchester United is excellent. They are at the top of English Premier League. They are also getting good amount of goals. So, their supporters are very happy because their club is at the top of both English Premier League and also in UEFA Champions League group B.

Well, you should not take CSKA Moscow that lightly because they have a long history in Europe. In fact, CSKA Moscow won UEFA Cup in 2005 and in the last six years, they have won the title of Russian Premier League three times and Russian Cup five times and Russian Super Cup four times. So, you can easily understand that they are a dominating force in Russian football. They have some quality players who also play for Russian national team.

I think that for Manchester United, the fear of CSKA Moscow is secondary at this moment. They are more afraid of injury concern that is going on at this moment for the club. There will be no Wayne Rooney and mid-fielder Ryan Giggs and left-back Patrice Evra are also out of action. Their will be also no Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher. There is also some doubt about Nemanja Vidić and Dimitar Berbatov. So, with all the strength of Manchester United squad, really they look some weak at this moment. Of course, if there is no there would be no Berbatov then Michael Owen will be in the first eleven perhaps.

BBC reported:

Manchester United will be without both Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney for the Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow.

Patrice Evra, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher were also absent from the squad flying out to Russia on Monday.

Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic are still doubtful for the match but have made the trip to the Russian capital.

CSKA Moscow is at this moment fourth in the Russian team league table. They have less injury concern and they should feel confident because they are playing in their stadium. Well, you know that Russia is always a tough place to play. Moscow is much colder than most European cities and although it is only October 21, it should be still a tough place to play.

I was thinking of the players to watch tomorrow. I think that it is an excellent opportunity for Michael Owen to show his strength. Owen was considered to be the best striker of English national team only a few years ago but these days it seems that he has been out of touch. So, it will be a great opportunity for him to make a strong come back at least European level football. Michael Owen is now just 30 years old and I think that he has still some years left and if he tries then he can get still the best out of him.

Alex Ferguson has expressed his optimism about the match and he thinks that the tough Russian condition would not be a problem for his club. Of course, he has said this thing to boost the spirit of the players but I think that in the end it can prove to be a very tough place to play at Moscow tomorrow night.

Daily Mail reported:

But Ferguson, looking for a victory to put United within touching distance of the last 16 in the Champions League, said: 'CSKA are a young side who know what they are doing and have one win behind them already.

'Also, their home advantage means more than usual because they play on an artificial plastic surface. I don't have a problem with that, though, because we can cope and I am looking to our back-to-back games against CSKA to take us to 10 points and a place in the knockout stages.'

Many websites will be giving live score of this match and I am giving the names of some of them here:

Live Score

Goalzz

 Live Football Scores

 Goal.com

 Footie Scorez