Rostov vs Manchester United as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men come away from Russia with draw
Relive United's 1-1 Europa League draw at the Olimp-2 Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United's Russian assignment proved as tough as expected, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan's strike on Rostov's quagmire pitch could prove crucial after the first instalment of this Europa League last-16 encounter ended in a credible draw.
As if a 3,750-mile round trip was not enough, United were greeted by a surface so poor that Jose Mourinho wanted UEFA to call the first leg off - a request that unsurprisingly fell on deaf ears.
The wretched Olimp-2 stadium surface made a difficult trip all the harder, with Aleksandr Bukharov cancelling out Mkhitaryan's first-half strike to leave the score at 1-1 ahead of next week's return leg at Old Trafford.
But Mourinho's frustration at being pegged back by Rostov - a side that have beaten Bayern Munich and Ajax at home this season - will likely be tempered by the relief of seemingly avoiding injuries on this pitch.
- Jose Mourinho readies his excuses as Manchester United prepare to play on Rostov's 'field-like' pitch
- Jose Mourinho's Manchester United selection plans left in tatters over the condition of Rostov's pitch
- Manchester United ban supporter for making offensive comments about disabled fans
- Jose Mourinho ready to shelve Manchester United's top four chase in favour of Europa League
- Paul Pogba needs room to grow, not constant criticism, at Manchester United
What time is kick-off?
The game takes place on Thursday, March 9, with kick off taking place at 6pm GMT.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 2 HD.
It’s a big game for…
Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian is expected to return from a hamstring injury on Thursday night having spent a number of weeks on the sideline. Should he feature, Mkhitaryan will be eager to hit the ground running in a bid to remind Mourinho what the side has been missing. Rostov will be no pushover though and the winger will need to have all his wits about him if he’s to stand any chance of impressing at the Olimp-2 Stadium.
Interesting fact…
Rostov supporters have organised a delivery of blankets for visiting United fans ahead of Thursday's match, according to state-owned Russian news channel Rossiya 24. The initiative, which is known as 'Gentle Fan', will see blankets handed out at the visitors' entrance to the ground, to ensure the fans will be warm enough. A touching gesture.
Player to watch…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A man as hardened and experienced as Ibrahimovic should be in his element on Thursday night. As the old saying goes: when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Indeed, expect plenty of fight and bite from the big Swede as he attempts to lead United’s front-line in what will be punishing conditions.
Form guide…
Rostov: WDWDDL
Manchester United: DWWWWW
Odds…
Rostov to win: 4/1
Manchester United to win: 39/50
Draw: 12/5
1 min: And we're off! Pitch watch: it's already cutting up.
3 min: First chance Rostov! The Russians win a throw deep in Manchester United's half and Noboa gets himself onto the ball before trying his luck from distance. Romero saves well.
United race up the other end and Ibrahimovic cuts the ball back smartly for Pogba, but the Frenchman takes a wild swing and a miss at it. Something tells me he's going to be blaming that one on the pitch.
5 mins: Considering that there are so many defenders on the pitch it has been a very open start, with the ball swinging from one end to another and both teams having chances to open the scoring.
Both teams are having some difficulty stringing the short passes together so have so far just resorted to lumping it down the other end and watching their strikers give chase.
7 mins: Granat hacks down Pogba over on the right wing and United have a chance to swing a free-kick in. Blind takes it with his left but gets too much on it: an easy catch for Medvedev.
9 mins: United very much look like they're playing a 3-5-2. Which is notable, because I'm fairly certain Mourinho has never played a back three before.
Young and Blind are the wing-backs with Henrikh Mkhitaryan playing just off the shoulder of Ibrahimovic.
11 mins: Considering the ball keeps bobbling away from them as if they're dribbling an orange though the local park, United have actually played some half-decent stuff.
Ibrahimovic controls the ball with his chest before skimming a fast, low pass to Mkhitaryan, who gets in between two defenders and attempts to pull the ball back for a team-mate.
But Herrera is adjudged to have barged over his man as he went to collect the ball and Rostov clear their lines.
13 mins: Again the ball is stabbed through Rostov's three-man defence for Mkhitaryan to chase, again he fails to bring the ball under control.
Herrera attempts to kung-fu kick the rebound in from the edge of the box, Paulo di Canio style, but Mkhitaryan is penalised for barging into his marker.
I know it's still early doors, but this referee looks very, very fussy.