Preview & Prediction: CSKA Moscow vs Manchester United

Manchester United make the long trip to Moscow on Wednesday to take on CSKA, hoping to continue their recent surge in form.

With just one defeat in six, a 3-0 drubbing away at Arsenal, United are in good shape as they look to strengthen their claim for Group B qualification.

However, although they sit pretty in the Premier League, the Red Devils, like all other thre sides in the group, are on three points after two matches.

A disappointing 2-1 defeat away to PSV Eindhoven was followed up by a much-needed 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg at Old Trafford in their last European outing.

In terms of team news, Louis van Gaal is again without Ashley Young, with the former Aston Villa winger sidelined with a calf injury.

Young joins Paddy McNair, James Wilson and long-term absentee Luke Shaw on the injury table ahead of tonight’s encounter.

Antonio Valencia is back in contention however, after missing the win at Everton following his international exploits with Ecuador.

CSKA sit five points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League and have yet to taste defeat in any of their first 12 matches.

Seydou Doumbia, who has been linked with Arsenal and Spurs in the past, is their biggest threat, with seven goals in seven games, while former Red Devil Zoran Tosic will also be hoping to impress his former employee’s at the Khimki Arena.

Doumbia scored twice in Moscow’s most recent Group B clash, a 3-2 win over PSV Eindhoven which followed up an opening 1-0 matchday defeat at Wolfsburg.

CSKA’s best Champions League performance to date came in 2009/10, when they reached the quarter-final stage, finishing second to United in their group.

That season, the Red Devils triumphed 1-0 in Russia thanks to a Valencia goal, while the return match finished 3-3.

Group Position: CSKA – 3rd, 3 points; Man United – 2nd, 3 points
Last Meeting: Man United 3-3 CSKA, November 3, 2009
Key Men: CSKA – Seydou Doumbia; Man United – Juan Mata
Form: CSKA – WDWWLW ; Man United – WWWWLW
Shoot Says: CSKA Moscow 1-1 Man United