Manchester United completes formality of reaching final 16
For Jose Mourinho's side to fall into the Europa League, CSKA Moscow needed to beat Manchester United by seven goals while FC Basel recorded a win at Benfica.
It was already a foregone conclusion United would advance to the knockout rounds, but at least it had the decency to make it mildly interesting by overturning a one-goal deficit.
The Red Devils eventually topped CSKA Moscow by a 2-1 scoreline on Tuesday, banishing any lingering doubts they would relinquish top spot in Group A. They are now a top seed for Monday's draw for the Round of 16.
40 – @ManUtd are unbeaten in their last 40 home games in all competitions - they’ve never had a longer run on their own ground before. Naughty.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2017
The Russian visitor took the lead just before the break, when Vitinho fired a shot that deflected off teammate Alan Dzagoev's back. There were accusations of offside in the move, but referee Gianluca Rocchi allowed the goal to stand.
United fired a double salvo in the second stanza to take the lead. Romelu Lukaku levelled when he stretched his left leg to meet a fluttering aerial delivery from Paul Pogba, and Marcus Rashford doubled United's tally around 69 seconds later when he met a similar up-and-over ball from Juan Mata.
Luke Shaw also gave his manager something to think about with a comfortable performance at left-back. The English international was on a Mourinho-imposed exile from the starting lineup for 219 days before taking the pitch at Old Trafford, but on this form showed he can at least be an able deputy for the rejuvenated Ashley Young.
United now prepares to host table-topping Manchester City in Sunday's slate of Premier League fixtures.