CSKA Moscow against Manchester United

Carrick from distance but that's easy for Akinfeev.

United slice through CSKA again with ease, BErbatov lays it back to Anderson and his effort is deflected just wide for a corner.

Corner now for Ferguson's men. Anderson to take.

United throw now, where have CSKA been in this second-half?

UNITED SUB: Carrick on for Fabio.

Fabio off on a stretcher and O'Shea drops in at left-back.

Nani crossed it to Berbatov who flicked it on to Valencia lurking at the back post. His first time right foot shot fired past Akinfeev from six yards out. No more than United deserve.

GOAL! Valencia. CSKA 0-1 United

Piliev takes on Fabio but he tackles well.

Krasic with some quality dribbling down the right. He takes on Vidic but can't find anyone with his cross. The Serbian midfielder has been excellent with the ball at his feet but CSKA just haven't used him enough in the second half.

Speculative effort from Berbatov but it's over.

Nani again released but again a poor cross as he pulls it back to no one.

Definitely the best piece of football of the game there.

Incredible interplay between Valencia and Nani- two consecutive one-twos and Valencia crashes his shot against the crossbar from 18 yards out.

Owen a little too short there as Berbatov and Nani combine well to cross in to the English striker. He either jumps too early or isn't tall enough.

CSKA very unlucky there though Krasic didn't look overly like he was composed enough to finish.

Offside. Eh, offside? Shocking decision from the official as he was a good yard onside! But O'Shea had chased back well.

Odiah crosses it in to Piliev and the ball is through to Krasic who is clean through.

United free-kick and Anderson lifts it towards Owen but it's all the way through to Akinfeev.

Brown picks out Valencia again who has seen plenty of the ball but Berezutsky has held him off well.

Anderson's taken a bang to the nose. Ouch.

Krasic broke at pace but no end product and in truth, he had very little support.

Brown spreads it to Valencia who crosses to Owen but he can't get the shot away. Bit of a spooned effort.

Anderson tries an outrageous outside-of-the-foot ball to Owen. But it's over-hit.

Piliev was signed from Lokomotiv Moscow and has only made five appearances so far.

CSKA SUB: Piliev on for Necid.

Necid and Semberas combine well and the ball breaks to Krasic who finally gets a chance but his shot is blocked by Anderson.

So will Owen be the difference maker? Berbatov dropping deeper for the ball now which can only be good for United.

Krasic gives it away to Nani who returns the favour.

Free-kick goes straight to Akinfeev who could probably collect but he punches to make sure.

UNITED SUB: Owen on for Scholes.

Dangerous position on the right of the area. Anderson to take.

Valencia wins a free-kick after picking up a cracking ball from Neville.

Nani turns away and he again makes space for the shot. But it's disappointingly wide. Hats off to Nani though, he's doing pretty well.

Anderson short to Nani and it escapes to Vidic. He tries to play it back to Nani and the Portugese winger is through. But Akinfeev out quickly to smother. The keeper has been great in the second-half.

Neville to Scholes and he threads it back to the right-back who wins another corner.

Scholes picks out Valencia down the right with a pinpoint pass and United have a corner.

Amazingly the ref hasn't given the corner - it was such an important touch by the Serbian.

Dzagoev delivers and it edges past the back post after a crucial interception from Vidic.

Fabio gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position.

United playing with much more urgency and the boos ringing around the stadium tell their own story about how frustrating it has been for CSKA.

Berbatov gets his head onto Nani's cross but it's not threatening.

CSKA SUB: Mamaev on for Shennikov

Fabio shot from distance. Comfortable for Akinfeev.

Van der Sar out quickly again with Necid advancing fast. Quality from the Dutchman to snuff out the danger.

Incredible save, it was heading right in the bottom corner and he tipped it away.

It's been all United for the last few minutes. Neville's cross to Nani and his diving header is saved spectacularly by Akinfeev.

United deep in CSKA territory. Neville takes a throw to O'Shea but his header was weak.

Valencia gets to the by-line but runs out of ideas. £18 million pounds. Really?

We're told that's just a precaution ahead of the game with Liverpool.

UNITED SUB: Brown on for Ferdinand.

Scholes gives away the free-kick against Necid.

Berbatov has the ball but his options are limited. He asks for it back from Nani but the ball is just ahead of him.

Nani looking to shoot from distance after cutting inside but a deflection takes it into the welcome hands of Akinfeev.

The ball in the back of the net but Dzagoev was offside. It was close but good decision. the Russian fans disagree.

He jumped up in the air like he'd been shot. Extremely theatrical though Berezutsky's tackle wasn't too close to the ball.

Berbatov booked for diving.

Krasic gets a touch, he hasn't really been on the ball in the second half.

Nani dispossesed but the ball is just hoofed up field and United can just start again.

Odiah brought down by Nani but the free-kick is intercepted by Scholes.

Valencia muscled off the ball easily by Berezutsky.

Semberas from thirty yards but it never looked like troubling the United goal.

United a little exposed as Necid advances. He takes on a shot from 25 yards but it's easy pickings for Van der Sar.

Nani breaks into the box and plays it across the six-yard box but he hasn't lifted his head and Berbatov and Anderson had dropped off.

Neville with a poor cross but Berbatov is fed by Ferdinand and he turns smartly but can't get the ball back across.

Nani wins the free-kick. He's looked good with the ball at his feet but is so frustrating with a lack of end product.

Odiah breaks for CSKA but it's cleaned up by O'Shea.

No subs so far and let's hope there's some goals on the way!

And we're off for the second half...

Half-time. CSKA 0-0 United. No stoppage time and it's been an even first half. United the better side for the first twenty, then CSKA dominated. No real clear cut chances, Neville's surprising left-foot effort the best chance of the half. Grab a cup of tea and I shall see you in 15...

United have scored 27 goals this season and 20 have come in the second-half. So no panic yet for United fans.

Scholes wins it and releases Valencia. He crosses into Berbatov but the Bulgarian can't turn on it and it dribbles aimlessly to Akinfeev.

CSKA won't want the half-time whistle to go as they have been on top for the last 15 minutes.

Ferdinand clears out the resulting corner. The United defence looked all at sea.

Dangerous ball in and Ignashevich almost was on the end of it but it's turned away for a corner.

Necid wins a free-kick for CSKA.

Van der Sar out quickly as Vidic underhits a pass back. Lucky there as the Serbian slipped. He's played here before with Spartak Moscow but the's been slipping around a bit so far.

Fabio played in but his cross is too short for Berbatov, who has cut a frustrated figure so far.

That's right - Neville! And it was close as well. The net rippled but it was just over. Could have been sensational from the United captain.

Curling left-foot effort from Neville.

CSKA had preciously gone ten games in a row without a Champions league win until they beat Besiktas on matchday two.

Ramos looking animated on the touchline. Nani went through too easily there.

Good skill by Nani as he skips past three but not for the first time in his career, no end product from the winger.

Sustained spell of pressure from CSKA and Krasic trying to target the young Brazilian right-back wherever possible.

Free-kick given away by Scholes against Ignashevich.

Krasic eases past Fabio and into the area. He strikes with his right but it drags wide of the left post. Van der Sar had it covered.

Berbatov looks at his team-mate with utter disdain.

Just as I speak they win it back but Nani gives it away.

CSKA with a good spell here and United haven't seen the ball for a few minutes.

Odiah down the right and on to Krasic who takes a big challenge from Fabio.

Krasic definitely looking CSKA's most dangerous outlet. He's so willing to take players on and has been exciting so far.

No he's muscled out the way, but was he pushed?

Nani's looping cross and Berbatov must surely score.

Cross from the left and a chance there for Necid but he heads into the grateful arms of Van der Sar.

Cynical challenge by Nani on Krasic but advantage played.

The subs are looking cosy and warm in blankets and gloves. To call it cold here would be quite the understatement.

Nothing comes from the resulting corner as CSKA clear their lines and Nani is ruled offside.

Shot from distance from Scholes and Akinfeev tips it wide. Not the most convincing save in the world from a thirty-yard speculative effort.

Overall united have seen a lot more of the ball so far and Fabio has looked exciting down the right. He whips in to Berbatov but Akinfeev out again.

He does but it's tamely into the hands of Akinfeev.

Anderson to take, will he shoot?

Foul on Nani and United have a free-kick down the right in CSKA territory.

Scholes with an out of character wayward pass towards Neville.

Boos from the partisan crowd in Moscow as United knock it around.

Scholes has been excellent so far. Always wants the ball annd unsurprisingly at the centre of all United's passing.

Talk today about Akinfeev going to United - I wonder if that's going to add any pressure on to his shoulders?

Free-kick United after a high boot from Berezutsky on Valencia.

Fergie said he reckoned the pitch would suit United's game and both teams have looked good in possession.

Berbatov flagged offside after a tasty challenge from Anderson in midfield. Strange bounce off the plastic pitch there.

Valencia hugging the right touchline and Neville crosses it long to O'Shea.

Good strength by Anderson to harry out Semberas.

Nani down the right this time but he can't get past Berezutsky who is a solid presence at left-back.

Good skills from Shennikov down the left and CSKA happy to keep possession. Krasic goes down but no foul.

Scholes and Anderson keeping possession and the Brazilian's long ball picks out Fabio who can't get his cross in. Amazing that he even got to it. He's got serious speed.

Anderson flights it in and Akinfeev takes a wild swing at it. Fortunately for CSKA it flies all the way out of play.

Because he was fouled apparently. Free-kick.

Nani combines well with Fabio but the Portugese winger had not carried on running.

Fabio has had some good early touches too and looks like he could be dangerous on the overlap.

Van der Sar spoons a clearance and it's out of play for a CSKA throw-in.

CSKA looking good on the ball and Rahimic and Semberas are comfortable knocking it around.

Good play by United as Neville and O'Shea interchange passes but his cross doesn't make it to Berbatov. Good skills by Nani too but again the cross doesn't quite make it.

No offence to Ben Foster of course!

The ball flies through to Van der Sar and United will be happy that he is back between the posts.

Krasic's ball flicked on at the near post but cleared to safety by a panicky looking United back-line.

Corner for CSKA.

But the English champions give the ball away again and Odiah advances down the right.

Scholes gets on the ball for United and he tries to calm things down.

Very dodgy there from the first choice pair and United looking a little nervy early-on.

Messy in defence for United as Rio and Vidic get mixed-up. Krasic breaks through and fires over.

Long ball forward by Akinfeev but it's cleared up by Ferdinand.

Valencia off-side. Not from the throw-in, obviously.

Throw-in for United down the right with Neville.

CSKA keeping possession and United chasing shadows.

Nani's free-kick comes back out to him and he cuts inside from the left wing and fires over.

United given a free-kick in a dangerous position for a foul on Anderson.

Fabio releases Nani down the left and his cross rebounds away to safety.

Fabio with an early touch and United knocking it around at the back.

And we're off...

It's a far cry from the sun of Spain for Juande Ramos but his side will be hoping they can warm the cockles of the supporters and get three points against last season's Champions league runners-up.

CSKA are fourth in the Russian Premier League (seven points behind current leader Rubin Kazan). The Russians are third in Group B, level on points with Wolfsburg. CSKA lost their Champions League opener away to the Germans, but responded with a home win against Besiktas.

The players are in the tunnel ready to do battle. CSKA are playing in their red shirts and blue shorts home strip, while United are wearing away colours of black and blue shirts with white shorts.

United currently top the Premier League by a point from Chelsea and will certainly have one eye with a crunch encounter with Liverpool this Sunday. United are also top of Champions League Group B with six points having beaten Besikatas and Wolfsburg in their first two matches.

Expect CSKA to be playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Necid up top on his own for Juande Ramos' side.

Subs: Grigoriev, Mamaev, Piliev, Aldoin, Carvalho, Pomazan, Oliseh

CSKA: Akinfeev, Odiah, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Berezutsky, Rahimic, Semberas, Krasix, Dzagoev, Shennikov, Necid

The last time United played in Moscow, of course, was when they triumphed in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea on penalties. So happy memories for the players and fans alike. At least that will help keep them warm on what is a freezing night in Russia!

There had been talk about Vidic not being fit for this one but the Ferguson will be delighted he can field his full strength central defensive-partnership against the Russians.

So, despite Rooney's injury there's no place in the starting line-up for Michael Owen. Sir Alex has got Fabio at left-back and we're expecting O'Shea to play the holding role in a five-man midfield with Berbatov cutting a lone figure up front.

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Owen, Carrick, Welbeck, Evans, Macheda

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fabio, O?Shea, Anderson, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov.

Team news is filtering through and United have opted to pack the midfield for this game. Let's have a look at the Reds' starting line-up.

Hello all and welcome to ESPN Soccernet's live coverage of today's early kick-off between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United.

Join us at 17:30 (BST) for live coverage of Manchester United's visit to CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.

Offside. Eh, offside? Shocking decision from the official as he was a good yard onside! But O'Shea had chased back well.

Odiah crosses it in to Piliev and the ball is through to Krasic who is clean through.

United free-kick and Anderson lifts it towards Owen but it's all the way through to Akinfeev.

Brown picks out Valencia again who has seen plenty of the ball but Berezutsky has held him off well.

Anderson's taken a bang to the nose. Ouch.

Krasic broke at pace but no end product and in truth, he had very little support.

Brown spreads it to Valencia who crosses to Owen but he can't get the shot away. Bit of a spooned effort.

Anderson tries an outrageous outside-of-the-foot ball to Owen. But it's over-hit.

Piliev was signed from Lokomotiv Moscow and has only made five appearances so far.

CSKA SUB: Piliev on for Necid.

Necid and Semberas combine well and the ball breaks to Krasic who finally gets a chance but his shot is blocked by Anderson.

So will Owen be the difference maker? Berbatov dropping deeper for the ball now which can only be good for United.

Krasic gives it away to Nani who returns the favour.

Free-kick goes straight to Akinfeev who could probably collect but he punches to make sure.

UNITED SUB: Owen on for Scholes.

Dangerous position on the right of the area. Anderson to take.

Valencia wins a free-kick after picking up a cracking ball from Neville.

Nani turns away and he again makes space for the shot. But it's disappointingly wide. Hats off to Nani though, he's doing pretty well.

Anderson short to Nani and it escapes to Vidic. He tries to play it back to Nani and the Portugese winger is through. But Akinfeev out quickly to smother. The keeper has been great in the second-half.

Neville to Scholes and he threads it back to the right-back who wins another corner.

Scholes picks out Valencia down the right with a pinpoint pass and United have a corner.

Amazingly the ref hasn't given the corner - it was such an important touch by the Serbian.

Dzagoev delivers and it edges past the back post after a crucial interception from Vidic.

Fabio gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position.

United playing with much more urgency and the boos ringing around the stadium tell their own story about how frustrating it has been for CSKA.

Berbatov gets his head onto Nani's cross but it's not threatening.

CSKA SUB: Mamaev on for Shennikov

Fabio shot from distance. Comfortable for Akinfeev.

Van der Sar out quickly again with Necid advancing fast. Quality from the Dutchman to snuff out the danger.

Incredible save, it was heading right in the bottom corner and he tipped it away.

It's been all United for the last few minutes. Neville's cross to Nani and his diving header is saved spectacularly by Akinfeev.

United deep in CSKA territory. Neville takes a throw to O'Shea but his header was weak.

Valencia gets to the by-line but runs out of ideas. £18 million pounds. Really?

We're told that's just a precaution ahead of the game with Liverpool.

UNITED SUB: Brown on for Ferdinand.

Scholes gives away the free-kick against Necid.

Berbatov has the ball but his options are limited. He asks for it back from Nani but the ball is just ahead of him.

Nani looking to shoot from distance after cutting inside but a deflection takes it into the welcome hands of Akinfeev.

The ball in the back of the net but Dzagoev was offside. It was close but good decision. the Russian fans disagree.

He jumped up in the air like he'd been shot. Extremely theatrical though Berezutsky's tackle wasn't too close to the ball.

Berbatov booked for diving.

Krasic gets a touch, he hasn't really been on the ball in the second half.

Nani dispossesed but the ball is just hoofed up field and United can just start again.

Odiah brought down by Nani but the free-kick is intercepted by Scholes.

Valencia muscled off the ball easily by Berezutsky.

Semberas from thirty yards but it never looked like troubling the United goal.

United a little exposed as Necid advances. He takes on a shot from 25 yards but it's easy pickings for Van der Sar.

Nani breaks into the box and plays it across the six-yard box but he hasn't lifted his head and Berbatov and Anderson had dropped off.

Neville with a poor cross but Berbatov is fed by Ferdinand and he turns smartly but can't get the ball back across.

Nani wins the free-kick. He's looked good with the ball at his feet but is so frustrating with a lack of end product.

Odiah breaks for CSKA but it's cleaned up by O'Shea.

No subs so far and let's hope there's some goals on the way!

And we're off for the second half...

Half-time. CSKA 0-0 United. No stoppage time and it's been an even first half. United the better side for the first twenty, then CSKA dominated. No real clear cut chances, Neville's surprising left-foot effort the best chance of the half. Grab a cup of tea and I shall see you in 15...

United have scored 27 goals this season and 20 have come in the second-half. So no panic yet for United fans.

Scholes wins it and releases Valencia. He crosses into Berbatov but the Bulgarian can't turn on it and it dribbles aimlessly to Akinfeev.

CSKA won't want the half-time whistle to go as they have been on top for the last 15 minutes.

Ferdinand clears out the resulting corner. The United defence looked all at sea.

Dangerous ball in and Ignashevich almost was on the end of it but it's turned away for a corner.

Necid wins a free-kick for CSKA.

Van der Sar out quickly as Vidic underhits a pass back. Lucky there as the Serbian slipped. He's played here before with Spartak Moscow but the's been slipping around a bit so far.

Fabio played in but his cross is too short for Berbatov, who has cut a frustrated figure so far.

That's right - Neville! And it was close as well. The net rippled but it was just over. Could have been sensational from the United captain.

Curling left-foot effort from Neville.

CSKA had preciously gone ten games in a row without a Champions league win until they beat Besiktas on matchday two.

Ramos looking animated on the touchline. Nani went through too easily there.

Good skill by Nani as he skips past three but not for the first time in his career, no end product from the winger.

Sustained spell of pressure from CSKA and Krasic trying to target the young Brazilian right-back wherever possible.

Free-kick given away by Scholes against Ignashevich.

Krasic eases past Fabio and into the area. He strikes with his right but it drags wide of the left post. Van der Sar had it covered.

Berbatov looks at his team-mate with utter disdain.

Just as I speak they win it back but Nani gives it away.

CSKA with a good spell here and United haven't seen the ball for a few minutes.

Odiah down the right and on to Krasic who takes a big challenge from Fabio.

Krasic definitely looking CSKA's most dangerous outlet. He's so willing to take players on and has been exciting so far.

No he's muscled out the way, but was he pushed?

Nani's looping cross and Berbatov must surely score.

Cross from the left and a chance there for Necid but he heads into the grateful arms of Van der Sar.

Cynical challenge by Nani on Krasic but advantage played.

The subs are looking cosy and warm in blankets and gloves. To call it cold here would be quite the understatement.

Nothing comes from the resulting corner as CSKA clear their lines and Nani is ruled offside.

Shot from distance from Scholes and Akinfeev tips it wide. Not the most convincing save in the world from a thirty-yard speculative effort.

Overall united have seen a lot more of the ball so far and Fabio has looked exciting down the right. He whips in to Berbatov but Akinfeev out again.

He does but it's tamely into the hands of Akinfeev.

Anderson to take, will he shoot?

Foul on Nani and United have a free-kick down the right in CSKA territory.

Scholes with an out of character wayward pass towards Neville.

Boos from the partisan crowd in Moscow as United knock it around.

Scholes has been excellent so far. Always wants the ball annd unsurprisingly at the centre of all United's passing.

Talk today about Akinfeev going to United - I wonder if that's going to add any pressure on to his shoulders?

Free-kick United after a high boot from Berezutsky on Valencia.

Fergie said he reckoned the pitch would suit United's game and both teams have looked good in possession.

Berbatov flagged offside after a tasty challenge from Anderson in midfield. Strange bounce off the plastic pitch there.

Valencia hugging the right touchline and Neville crosses it long to O'Shea.

Good strength by Anderson to harry out Semberas.

Nani down the right this time but he can't get past Berezutsky who is a solid presence at left-back.

Good skills from Shennikov down the left and CSKA happy to keep possession. Krasic goes down but no foul.

Scholes and Anderson keeping possession and the Brazilian's long ball picks out Fabio who can't get his cross in. Amazing that he even got to it. He's got serious speed.

Anderson flights it in and Akinfeev takes a wild swing at it. Fortunately for CSKA it flies all the way out of play.

Because he was fouled apparently. Free-kick.

Nani combines well with Fabio but the Portugese winger had not carried on running.

Fabio has had some good early touches too and looks like he could be dangerous on the overlap.

Van der Sar spoons a clearance and it's out of play for a CSKA throw-in.

CSKA looking good on the ball and Rahimic and Semberas are comfortable knocking it around.

Good play by United as Neville and O'Shea interchange passes but his cross doesn't make it to Berbatov. Good skills by Nani too but again the cross doesn't quite make it.

No offence to Ben Foster of course!

The ball flies through to Van der Sar and United will be happy that he is back between the posts.

Krasic's ball flicked on at the near post but cleared to safety by a panicky looking United back-line.

Corner for CSKA.

But the English champions give the ball away again and Odiah advances down the right.

Scholes gets on the ball for United and he tries to calm things down.

Very dodgy there from the first choice pair and United looking a little nervy early-on.

Messy in defence for United as Rio and Vidic get mixed-up. Krasic breaks through and fires over.

Long ball forward by Akinfeev but it's cleared up by Ferdinand.

Valencia off-side. Not from the throw-in, obviously.

Throw-in for United down the right with Neville.

CSKA keeping possession and United chasing shadows.

Nani's free-kick comes back out to him and he cuts inside from the left wing and fires over.

United given a free-kick in a dangerous position for a foul on Anderson.

Fabio releases Nani down the left and his cross rebounds away to safety.

Fabio with an early touch and United knocking it around at the back.

And we're off...

It's a far cry from the sun of Spain for Juande Ramos but his side will be hoping they can warm the cockles of the supporters and get three points against last season's Champions league runners-up.

CSKA are fourth in the Russian Premier League (seven points behind current leader Rubin Kazan). The Russians are third in Group B, level on points with Wolfsburg. CSKA lost their Champions League opener away to the Germans, but responded with a home win against Besiktas.

The players are in the tunnel ready to do battle. CSKA are playing in their red shirts and blue shorts home strip, while United are wearing away colours of black and blue shirts with white shorts.

United currently top the Premier League by a point from Chelsea and will certainly have one eye with a crunch encounter with Liverpool this Sunday. United are also top of Champions League Group B with six points having beaten Besikatas and Wolfsburg in their first two matches.

Expect CSKA to be playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Necid up top on his own for Juande Ramos' side.

Subs: Grigoriev, Mamaev, Piliev, Aldoin, Carvalho, Pomazan, Oliseh

CSKA: Akinfeev, Odiah, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Berezutsky, Rahimic, Semberas, Krasix, Dzagoev, Shennikov, Necid

The last time United played in Moscow, of course, was when they triumphed in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea on penalties. So happy memories for the players and fans alike. At least that will help keep them warm on what is a freezing night in Russia!

There had been talk about Vidic not being fit for this one but the Ferguson will be delighted he can field his full strength central defensive-partnership against the Russians.

So, despite Rooney's injury there's no place in the starting line-up for Michael Owen. Sir Alex has got Fabio at left-back and we're expecting O'Shea to play the holding role in a five-man midfield with Berbatov cutting a lone figure up front.

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Owen, Carrick, Welbeck, Evans, Macheda

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Fabio, O?Shea, Anderson, Scholes, Valencia, Berbatov.

Team news is filtering through and United have opted to pack the midfield for this game. Let's have a look at the Reds' starting line-up.

Hello all and welcome to ESPN Soccernet's live coverage of today's early kick-off between CSKA Moscow and Manchester United.

Join us at 17:30 (BST) for live coverage of Manchester United's visit to CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League.