Manchester United come from behind to confirm place in last 16

December 5, 2017

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Manchester United have confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time since 2013-14 courtesy of a 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow this evening.
The Group A leaders were all but guaranteed a place in the knockout stages before kickoff, although they could have still mathematically – if not realistically – missed out in a three-way playoff with Basel and CSKA.
CSKA gave their own hopes of qualifying a boost when they took a surprise lead in controversial fashion through Vitinho on the stroke of half time, but they were ultimately condemned to Europa League football after Christmas as quickfire goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford turned things around in the second half.
The result also sees the hosts rack up a club record-equalling 40th consecutive home game without defeat across all competitions, including 11 wins from 11 at Old Trafford so far this season.
United went into the match knowing that it would take defeat by seven goals – in addition to results elsewhere going against them – to miss out on a place in the last 16, and with such a strong position Jose Mourinho opted to make six changes ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.