Fellaini Expects Tactical Battle In Moscow

Marouane Fellaini says Manchester United must be prepared for a tactical battle in Moscow on Wednesday night, rather than the cut and thrust of a league match like the one at Everton on Saturday.

The Reds have always been used to a tough battle at Goodison Park, but Louis van Gaal's men were in supreme form and cruised to a 3-0 win.

Focus now switches to the Champions League and tonight's game in Russia against CSKA Moscow. Group B is currently wide open with all four teams – United, CSKA, Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven – on three points.

Fellaini is expecting a taxing encounter at Arena Khimki, but feels United’s preparation for the match has been spot-on.

“For me, European games are more tactical. We play against great teams but it’s a different type of football. In England, it’s more attack, attack, attack. In Europe, it’s more about tactics,” he told MUTV.

“Both teams will want to win and it will be different for both teams [to domestic football]. We know how to play; the manager and the staff have watched a lot of games on the opponents so we know how to play.”

The four-hour journey to Moscow was a longer-than-normal one for the Reds, but Fellaini insists travelling is part and parcel of a footballer’s life, saying: “We are professional and are used to it.”

On the game itself, and the importance of picking up another win after the victory at home to Wolfsburg last month, the Belgian added: “We have lost one and won one. Everyone has three points in the group so we have to continue to win, in this game and then at Old Trafford – we have two more games there to make sure we qualify. Anything can happen so we have to stay focused.”