Jose Mourinho concerned about Manchester United's quick turnaround with Crystal Palace match hot on heels of long-haul Moscow trip

Manchester United coasted to a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow in Russia but manager Jose Mourinho is still concerned about the knock-on effect when they return to the Premier League.

Romelu Lukaku took his tally to 10 in his first nine matches for the club, bettering the record of the great Sir Bobby Charlton who scored nine in the same number, with a double as Anthony Martial scored a penalty and Henrikh Mkhitaryan adding the fourth just after half-time.

Substitute Konstantin Kuchaev's 90th-minute consolation came too late to worry the visitors but Mourinho - missing seven senior players in Moscow - is already looking at their return to Premier League action.

Jose Mourinho had gripes about the fixture schedule despite Man United's 4-1 win in Moscow

Jose Mourinho had gripes about the fixture schedule despite Man United's 4-1 win in Moscow

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as United made light work of CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as United made light work of CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital

The Belgian striker took his tally to 10 goals in nine matches since arriving from Everton 

The Belgian striker took his tally to 10 goals in nine matches since arriving from Everton 

Man United fixtures 

Premier League unless stated

Saturday Crystal Palace (H)

October 14 Liverpool (A)

October 18 Benfica (A)

Champions League group stage

October 21 Huddersfield Town (A)

October 24 Swansea City (A)

EFL Cup fourth round

October 28 Tottenham (H) 

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United are level on points with local rivals City, unbeaten in six matches, and the visit of rock-bottom Palace, without a point or a goal yet, should hardly be cause for concern.


Yet Mourinho believes they have been put at a disadvantage to some of their rivals as, for example, Liverpool played in Moscow on Tuesday and travel to Newcastle on Sunday so have two days' extra rest.

'For the team confidence is good because six points in two matches in the Champions League puts us in a good position and for the players individually it is also good because we had very good performances,' he added.

'(Chris) Smalling and (Victor) Lindelof had very good performances, (Ander) Herrera has not started a match in a long time and had a good performance, so did Anthony Martial - and I am speaking about the players who are not starting matches.

'The Premier League is another story. We play Saturday three o'clock against a fresh team and we have to play after this match.

Anthony Martial doubled United's lead from the penalty spot after only 18 minutes

Anthony Martial doubled United's lead from the penalty spot after only 18 minutes

Henrikh Mkhitaryan rounded off a comfortable night with United's fourth after the break

Henrikh Mkhitaryan rounded off a comfortable night with United's fourth after the break

Mourinho congratulates Lukaku after his two goals guided United to victory in Moscow

Mourinho congratulates Lukaku after his two goals guided United to victory in Moscow

'We have to keep our feet on the ground, stay humble and follow our direction because we are having a very good start to the season.

'We have started competitions strong in August and September and have now just one more game, a difficult one.'

Mourinho can at least rely on Lukaku, who is on such a hot scoring streak.

'They are amazing numbers for Romelu. He is humble and wants to learn and improve all the time,' he said.

'I think ambition is there and I trust he can keep performing for us.

'It is a great achievement but it is only possible with a good team. Without a good team it is not possible and the team is playing well.'