Manchester United V CSKA Moscow

Manchester United were 5/6 to win this match with a (-1) handicap. With no Ferdinand or Giggs and with Rooney starting of the bench, the home team secured a point after going 3-1 down and ensured they would be in the next round of the Champions League with a 3-3 draw. A £5 would bring a return of £9.17, cutting two thirds off the loss I had already made.

After securing a 1-0 win in Moscow two weeks beforehand, and with everything still to play for, I expected Man Utd to go all out for a comfortable win on home soil. I had learnt my lesson from the last three bets and chose not to go for odds that would  possibly payout double the stake. I expected to get my winning streak off to a start.

Alas, United under performed and fell two goals behind thanks to goals from Dzagoev, Krasic and Berezutsk for the Russians. Owen equalised CSKA Moscow's first goal until the Russian's scored two more either side of half time.

From this point, the bet is dead and buried regardless if United can snatch another goal or two. From 3-1 down and six minutes to play by the time Scholes scores, it would be impossible for United to score four goals in that time period for the bet to be won. As it was, United did score two more ensuring their qualification to the last 16.

For the first time since Sunday, I felt let down and disappointed that United couldn't win by two or more goals. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have huge strength in depth, and that was another reason for assuming United would win by two clear goals.

If you think about it, any other team like Arsenal or Chelsea don't have that strength in depth. Therefore they would struggle with a revamped. depleted or unrecognised  starting eleven.

Total Staked: £20
Total Won: £0
Profit/Loss: £-20

Match report at www.mirrorfootball.co.uk