Luke Shaw shows glimpses of buccaneering class for Manchester United as Jose Mourinho forgives critical mistake for opening goal

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Luke Shaw was making what felt a very significant point and then seemed to inadvertently prove his manager's.

This was a night when Shaw, on his first Manchester United start for 219 days, impressed for the most part. He buccaneered from left back, probed and drove: a real attacking force.

He enjoyed a quite marvellous opening 44 minutes, flying forward with verve and debunking myths about his fitness. 

Luke Shaw offered a reminder of his class and for large parts looked assured in defence

The left back smashed a volley on target and forced a fine save out of Igor Akinfeev

But then disaster struck: his concentration vanished seconds before half-time. Needlessly sucked towards the ball, he failed to spot Mario Fernandes darting on the outside. From there CSKA Moscow scored in a flash.

Shaw will be disappointed with his contribution. Jose Mourinho, to his credit, stuck by his man. 'A very positive performance, especially with the ball going forwards,' Mourinho said.

'Really dangerous - creating a lot, a lot of intensity in his game. No surprise that in minute 80 he is feeling the consequences of that intensity.' 

Shaw switched off for a split second and his error led to CSKA Moscow scoring the opener

He was more than defensively sound before and after the mishap, too, which makes the mistake all the more unfortunate.

Quick to intercept breaks, he made important blocks and a huge challenge in his own area on Alan Dzagoev to bail out Juan Mata after a lazy pass.

Mourinho gave him the benefit of the doubt, not in keeping with the previous 18 months. 'He was deserving of that opportunity for quite a long time,' Mourinho said before the words Shaw should hold tight. 'He is going to get more because the performance was positive.' 

Mourinho will be disappointed with the mistake but surely heartened by the overall display