Why Ahmed Musa Is the CSKA Moscow Player Manchester United Would Love to Have

Manchester United face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League this week, and of the collection of players available to the Russians, Ahmed Musa would perhaps fit in best at Old Trafford.

The newly appointed Nigeria captain had an impressive World Cup in Brazil in 2014. On the scoresheet twice, his pace and invention was a thorn in the side when the Super Eagles took on Argentina in the final group game. The eventual finalists ran out 3-2 winners, but Musa's brace was well earned.

The 23-year-old is flying in Russian football this season, and he is CSKA's top scorer in the league, in spite of the fine form of Seydou Doumbia.

The reason for choosing him from CSKA's ranks is partly down to his tactical flexibility. He can play wide on the left or right, and has often played through the centre this season. With Louis van Gaal switching Anthony Martial wide and playing Wayne Rooney central against Everton, it is clear that the manager prizes flexibility in his forwards.

Elsewhere in CSKA's squad, there are plenty of quality players, just perhaps not ones who would fit the bill at United.

Igor Akinfeev was linked to United as one of the plethora of goalkeepers who could replace Edwin van der Sar following the Dutch giant's retirement, per Ashley Gray for MailOnline in 2009.

It looked as though he had done his chances of a move to Manchester no harm with a fine display against the Red Devils in that season's Champions League clash, but, in the end, United plumped for David De Gea and the rest is history. No replacement is needed as yet, so Akinfeev, 29, is off the list of potential targets.

The aforementioned Doumbia is in fine form at the moment. Free scoring in the Swiss league for Young Boys before his first move to Moscow in 2010, he kept that up for much of his time in Russia. Sadly for him, his transfer to Roma in January this year did not work out, and he is back on loan with CSKA.

His manager is presumably glad of this fact given he has managed five goals and five assists so far this season in the league and two goals in the Champions League, per WhoScored.

Indeed, he may be the player United pick out as the greatest threat to their chances on Wednesday night, but given his inability to make an impact in Rome, and Musa's flexibility in terms of positions, coupled to the fact Musa is four years younger than Doumbia, it makes the Nigerian the better option.

At one point in United's recent history, their most pressing transfer need was improvements in central midfield. Were that still the case, then CSKA's Israeli midfielder Bibras Natkho may have been a player worthy of consideration.

Able to play in deep-lying defensive midfield or in a more advanced role, the 27-year-old put up impressive numbers last season—his first in the Russian capital after a move from Rubin Kazan.

With 12 goals and eight assists, per WhoScored, he was a vital part of Moscow's campaign as they finished runners up in the Russian Premier League. He has two goals and an assist in his nine appearances so far this season.

However, United are well stocked for central midfielders now, whereas their options up front will quickly start to look a little thin should they pick up a couple of injuries.

In truth, Moscow's squad is generally made up of very decent players, rather than absolute elite-level superstars. There is probably no one in their ranks for whom United would break the bank.

However, of the choices available, Musa would add depth to United's squad in an area where it is needed, and has the quality to make an important contribution.