CSKA Moscow 1-4 Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku's double alongside Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan goals see visitors cruise to win

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It appeared to be a diplomatic gesture when the home side's coach observed in his programme notes: 'Manchester United have been in search of their new self since Alex Ferguson's retirement and now they seem to be almost there.'

By the end of the night there was a genuine sense that he might just be right.

The difficult four years since Ferguson walked away have not been entirely devoid of success on foreign soil in the Champions League. The 5-0 win at Bayer Leverkusen in November 2013 was a footnote to the David Moyes era. But there was a balance of attacking force and defensive durability about this performance which suggested a corner being turned.

Romelu Lukaku (right) wheels away in celebration after scoring Manchester United's opening goal against CSKA Moscow

Lukaku rose above CSKA defender Sergei Ignashevich to head the visitors in front from Anthony Martial's cross

The United No 9 watches on as his far post header bounces into the far corner past CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev

The 24-year-old points to the heavens after scoring his second Champions League goal in as many games

United's summer signing was promptly mobbed by his team-mates after putting them 1-0 up on four minutes

MATCH FACTS, PLAYER RATINGS AND MATCH ZONE

CSKA Moscow (3-5-2): Akinfeev 6; Vasin 5, V Berezutsky 4.5, Ignashevich 5; Fernandes 6, Dzagoev 6.5 (Milanov 72), Wernbloom 5.5, Golovin 7, Schennikov 5.5; Chalov 5 (Zhamaletdinov 67), Vitinho (Kuchaev 90). 

Subs not used: Pomazun, A Berezutsky, Nabakin, Natcho.

Goal: Kuchaev 90.

Booked: Wernbloom, Golovin, Vitinho.

Manager: Viktor Goncharenko 6.

Manchester United (3-4-3): De Gea 7; Bailly 6.5, Lindelof 6, Smalling 6; Young 6.5 (Darmian 67), Matic 6.5, Herrera 6, Blind 6; Mkhitaryan 8.5 (Lingard 60), Lukaku 8, Martial 8 (Rashford 72).

Subs not used: Romero, Mata, Tuanzebe, McTominay.

Goals: Lukaku 4 and 26, Martial 18 (pen), Mkhitaryan 57

Booked: None.

Manager: Jose Mourinho 8

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

Man of the Match: Mkhitaryan

CLICK HERE to view our brilliant Match Zone - including the move for Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal in Manchester United's victory

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Although Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial eviscerated the Russian defence, Henrikh Mkhitaryan eclipsed all others.

There were two digs from Mourinho for the fixture schedulers who have United playing at 3pm on Saturday against Crystal Palace, having touched down in Manchester at 4am this morning. 'A difficult one against a fresh team while we are still here,' he said.

There was also the hint of criticism for Louis van Gaal as he claimed to be putting things right in Europe. 'I think I prefer to say that the last appearances of Manchester United in the Champions League away from home were not the best and after one season outside we come back, with a good performance away,' said Mourinho.

There was a reminder of the real challenge when the 3-0 scoreline blinked out the story of Bayern Munich's defeat in Paris. A new continental order may await. Yet this is the kind of environment which has made United look frail in the recent past. Winning is quite clearly breeding confidence.

The manager name-checked Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof, those who may be back in reserve on Saturday. But Nemanja Matic surpassed all of those. He is providing a new gear to the midfield.

Jose Mourinho gives captain of the night Ashley Young some instructions on the touchline during the first half

The Red Devils earned a penalty midway through the first half when Henrikh Mkhitaryan was fouled by Georgi Schennikov

Martial stepped up to take the penalty - fresh from recently scoring from 12 yards against Everton earlier this month 

And the France international duly converted the spot-kick, rolling the ball the other side of Akinfeev

Martial was quickly congratulated by his team-mates after scoring in the Russian capital

Lukaku was beaming again midway through the first half when he scored his second of the night from another Martial cross

The powerful Belgium international exploited some woeful CSKA defending to tap home unopposed at the far post

It was a contrast of emotions between the two teams on 26 minutes as Lukaku's happiness was met with Akinfeev's despair

Mourinho's men were a picture of delight as they cruised to a 3-0 lead inside the first half at the VEB Arena

Since United had never lost in Russia and were led by a manager who had not done so, either, the only omen seemed to be their kit.

United ran out in light grey and white shorts for the first time since that infamous day in April 1996 when Ferguson ordered them to change to blue at half-time, although they failed to recover a 3-0 losing deficit that day against Southampton. Here they led 3-0 at the interval — commanding a Champions League game on the continent in a way perhaps rarely seen even in the late Ferguson years as they were powered to an unassailable position by Lukaku.

The striker — who has now scored 10 goals in nine games —frightens defenders into errors. That much was clear before the game was half-an-hour old.

Lukaku whipped a 20-yard pass out to Martial, taking Mario Fernandes out of the game, and sprinted into the six-yard box to receive the ball back and head his side ahead.

Although the striker will take the headlines, Mkhitaryan was the axis for the football which sealed victory so early. He operated across the front line, locating pockets of space and shipping the ball around with precision.

The second half started in similar fashion as the first as United extended their lead through Mkhitaryan

The Armenia playmaker was the quickest to react to Martial's saved shot to sweep home the visitors' fourth goal

Mkhitaryan wheels away in celebration after further cementing the Premier League outfit's dominance in Moscow

Martial, Ander Herrera (second left) and Young (centre) were among those to congratulate Mkhitaryan on his goal

A spurned opportunity ran against the grain of his technically efficient display, when he side-footed straight at Igor Akinfeev from point blank range. But he compensated with a driving run into the area which won the penalty that Martial converted after 18 minutes.

The Russians had their first-half moments, were clever around the box and drew David de Gea into two excellent saves. But the contest was over when a Martial cross on 26 minutes brought an airshot from Vasili Berezutsky and the lurking Lukaku tapped home.

The fourth goal was Mkhitaryan's. He arrived to clip the rebounding ball home from a narrow angle after a Martial shot had been blocked before the hour.

There could have been three more goals before a blot on United's evening right at the death saw substitute Konstantin Kuchaev burst into their penalty box and scored.

Mourinho departed with a biting reminder that tides can turn in football. Lukaku 'knows when things are not going well, words are strong in a negative way,' he said. But he was deeply satisfied.

Konstantin Kuchaev (left) celebrates after scoring CSKA Moscow's late consolation but it was a poor display from the hosts