5 Things Manchester United And van Gaal Must Do To Beat CSKA Moscow

A reinvigorated Manchester United side, who breezed past Everton 3 goals to nil this past weekend, have got a tricky challenge waiting for them in the Champions League in the form of Russian giants CSKA Moscow. As I’ve mentioned earlier that CSKA Moscow aren’t a side worth underestimating. The task won’t at all be easy, that being at Khimki Stadium itself. The atmosphere is known to be hostile to away European sides and much like Galatasaray or Olympiacos’ Karaiskakis Stadium is known to be one of the most loathed away stadiums in Europe. Any side, let alone Manchester United themselves can cripple under the conditions around them condemning to their fate. United may well be undefeated at home until now, but this game provides them an acid test for as to how good they are away from home.

But here are 5 things Louis van Gaal has to do, if his side is to beat Leonid Slutsky’s men.

Bring in experience in the team

This is something that I mentioned in my previous piece that concerned why CSKA Moscow are a force to be reckoned with and this could turn out to be a vital factor in the game. People who have experience, people who have stepped foot inside stadiums as intimidating as the Khimki will help a lot. The younger players, which Manchester United have in number- Chris Smalling, David de Gea, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay, may struggle to find their feet at first and if not for players such as Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney- as long as the whole game too perhaps. They can make them aware of the conditions that prevail there such that they have a clear cut objective in mind for as to what they can expect at Moscow. If all’s not going well, the experience campaigners can lift the spirits of the young players and encourage them from gloomy positions.

In terms of playing, they bring immense composure in the play when the youngsters can get harried quickly by a zealous opposition. Younger players tend to get nervous and the opposition threatens to take full advantage of it by pressing high up the pitch. The experienced players can absorb all of this pressure and help the team perform well.

Playing three or at least Carrick and Schweinsteiger in the midfield can provide United an impetus to play better than they’d play in their absence.

Exhibit Flair in attack

CSKA Moscow may well have a knack for being a resolute side which knows how to counter attack with pace and speed. But, their weakness lies in defending against sides that have flair in attack and their off the ball movement stands out. They struggle against attacks that make clever runs in behind and move the ball quickly in the final third.

United succeeded in doing that during their game against Everton as their slick, effortless passing tempo often caught the Toffees off guard.

Don’t make a slow start

A bit unlike the Everton encounter when the Reds started the game well, Louis van Gaal’s men in red haven’t started the game well enough in the recent games before that. Their thronging at the hands of Arsenal was due to the fact that they made a sloth like start to the game and ended up conceding thrice in the first twenty minutes or so. Although, they do wake up from the slumber as the game progresses, CSKA are sure to make an energetic start to the game to surprise United.

To wear CSKA down in the first ten- fifteen minutes, United would’ve to make a composed start that must not consist of panic or twitchiness. Not doing that can lead to significant problems early on.

Play Marcos Rojo at left back and Phil Jones at centre back

As I’ve mentioned before, CSKA Moscow are filled to the brim with pace and energy, especially on the break. The likes of Ahmed Musa, Seydou Doumbia and Zoran Tosic are players who can destroy any team on their day.

Daley Blind is someone who is better on the ball and not too good off it. He’s a simple footballer who likes to have the ball at his feet. His off the ball traits such as dealing with the physicality and competing with players that have peace aren’t quite up to the mark. He’s still coming to terms with life after the Netherlands’ shock exit from the Euro qualifiers and playing him could cost United the game.

Much like the Everton game, which is a side that is not devoid of pace, United should play Marcos Rojo at left back and Phil Jones alongside Chris Smalling and not Daley Blind. They are better at dealing with pace than the 25 year old Dutchman.

For God’s sake, play Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera is a player who scores in almost every game he features. He scored a crucial diving header off Marcos Rojo’s cross at Goodison Park and was just as impressive throughout the game.

The Spaniard is someone who brings a wholly different thrust to the United side. His desire to win games and his stubborn tendency to everything within his reach for his his team is something that sets him apart from the other players. He’s always willing to graft, defend, work hard, make moves up front, assist and score. He always looks lively and is always willing to go an extra mile to win for the team.

He has proved his critic wrong who happens to be his own manager and has already won the hearts of United fans. Passion is another thing that can win you a game that is being held at a venue as intimidating as this one.