‘Stupid’ error proved costly

LOUIS van Gaal cursed a “stupid” error from Anthony Martial after Manchester United drew 1–1 at CSKA Moscow.

Martial scored a fine diving header to grab a point for United at the Khimki Arena but the French striker was also to blame for giving the Russians the lead.

Martial raised his right arm going into a challenge with Mario Fernandes in the 15th minute and the ball struck it, leaving the referee with no option but to point to the spot.

David de Gea saved Roman Eremenko’s penalty, but Seydou Doumbia scored the rebound to put CSKA ahead.

Martial’s second–half header saved United’s blushes, but their manager was disappointed with his star teenager for the error: “They had the present of an Anthony Martial penalty. Martial is a human being, he reacts and it is a stupid reaction, but sometimes these things happen.”

The visitors put in a shoddy first–half performance but improved after the break, thanks partly to the introduction of Marouane Fellaini – and deserved to take a point home from their trek east.

Wolfsburg beat PSV, which means United are second in Group ‘B’ at the halfway point of the group stages.