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
GOAL! Rostov 0 Manchester United 1 (Mkhitaryan '35)
Lovely goal! Some action at last. Fellaini held the ball up very nicely, sent Ibrahimovic clear down the right, and Mkhitaryan was on hand to turn home his cutback.
37 mins: All things considered that was a really, really good goal. Fellaini controls a long punt down the left superbly, and holds it up well as he's harried by Rostov's defence. He gets it down on the deck for Ibrahimovic who strides past Navas and cuts it back into the penalty area.
Mkhitaryan storms into the box and is able to side-foot it past Medvadev for an easy finish. A potentially priceless away goal, that.
39 mins: Rostov looking for an immediate reaction. Noboa shoots from distance, Romero saves. Poloz then tries his luck. And then the Russian's win a free-kick in a dangerous position down the left, but Romero is quick off his line to catch it.
42 mins: Erokhin slides in to dispossess Herrera. Does so cleanly. Felix Zwayer blows his whistle and gives a free-kick to United.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
44 mins: Rojo is the next man to hit the deck, Bukharov guilty of barging into him.
And replays suggest that one was nasty. He cut right across the defender and planted his boot into Rojo's ankle, making sure he left something on him. Zwayer gets it wrong, again. No booking.
Mourinho must be watching this through his fingers. His players are slipping and sliding everywhere on this knobbly bobbly pitch and this Rostov team certainly aren't afraid of a tackle. It's only a matter of time until someone gets injured.
45 mins: There's going to be two minutes of additional time.
46 mins: Rostov try to end the half on a high. Gatcan is played into some space down the right with Poloz and Bukharov both waiting in the box. He looks to loft the ball in their direction ... only for Rojo to deflect the ball into the midfielder's face. It cannons out for a goal-kick.