Manchester United vs. CSKA Moscow: Score, Reaction from 2015 Champions League

Manchester United beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 at Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday as Wayne Rooney pulled level with Denis Law with 237 goals for the club.    

The Red Devils were poor up front for much of the contest, and the hosts looked to be heading for their fourth goalless showing in a row—for the first time in their entire history. But Rooney headed home the winner deep into the second half.

United were much the better side as the Russian side offered nothing going forward, but until Rooney's winner, the Red Devils once again showed the profligacy that had seen them record three consecutive goalless draws leading up to the match.

Rooney flashed a shot wide after just three minutes from Jesse Lingard's excellent delivery, and the 22-year-old had a half-chance of his own shortly after when he cut inside but saw his shot blocked.

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Lingard had an even better opportunity two minutes later when Rooney slipped a lovely ball forward to him, but Igor Akinfeev reacted well to come off his line and smother the danger.

The midfielder continued to be on the end of all United created but was again unable to provide the finish after being picked out well by Ashley Young. Football writer Liam Canning was unimpressed with his display:

Squawka Football shared the one-sided but frustrating first-half stats from the match:

The second half followed a similar pattern with United controlling all of the ball, but the hosts continued to be frustrated as CSKA sat back behind it.

Football writer Miguel Delaney highlighted the Red Devils' inability to penetrate teams that sit deep:

United boss Louis van Gaal resorted to his increasingly common Plan B of throwing Marouane Fellaini on, and Anthony Martial's departure to make way was greeted with a chorus of boos from the Old Trafford faithful.

Rooney was unable to finish from three yards out when he got the ball stuck under his feet, while Michael Carrick sent a volley narrowly wide.

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Shockingly, CSKA almost took the lead on one of their only forays forward in the entire match, but a combination of David De Gea and Chris Smalling just kept Seydou Doumbia out.

Just one minute after nearly conceding, United finally found the back of the net when Rooney converted a free header from Lingard's exquisite volleyed cross, per BT Sport Football:

The win spared Van Gaal's blushes and takes United to the top of Group B by one point ahead of PSV Eindhoven and Wolfsburg, both of whom they are set to play for a second time.

United's struggles in the final third continued virtually unabated, and on this showing it's difficult to see that changing significantly any time soon. If the Red Devils can't find the answer, they still face the possibility of missing out on the knockout stages of the Champions League despite being handed a winnable group.

Post-Match Reaction

Van Gaal was pleased with the performance and expressed relief his side did not concede what would have been an undeserved goal for Moscow, per BBC Red Wednesday:

The Guardian's Daniel Taylor shared the Dutchman's comments on the audible jeers from sections of the crowd and the 64-year-old remained unconcerned: "I'm not deaf. Of course I heard. That's opinion of the fans but afterwards they shall not be disappointed."