Image source, Getty Images

No injuries on a dodgy pitch, an away goal and undefeated. A satisfactory night in Russia for Manchester United as the EFL Cup winners prepare to return home for Monday's FA Cup sixth round tie at Chelsea.

The cup treble remains very much alive.

Thanks very much for your company. Until next time...

Manchester United

More from Jose Mourinho, speaking to BT Sport: "I did not see us conceding but we did. They are very direct and do not use the wingers. 

"Our three central defenders had a very positive game. The midfield fought for the second goal and tried to give something in attack."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to BT Sport: "It was a very good performance in relation to the conditions. It was impossible to play better, impossible to play a passing game.

"We played what the game demanded and we played well. We made one defensive mistake. 

"We have an open result for the second leg with a little advantage for us. There are no injuries."

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Allen: Barca 6-5 PSG. Drama, theatre, glamour....Meanwhile on cabbage patch in Southern Russia.... 

Christopher Talbotski: In the interests of fairness and balance, maybe play the second leg on Weston-Super-Mare beach? 

Brayo: A good result for Rostov. They're gonna win the second leg given they'll play in a good pitch.

More from Manchester United goalscorer Henrikh Mkhitaryan, speaking to BT Sport: "It does not matter if you are leading 1-0, you have to be ready for everything. We conceded the goal and there was a mistake but we have a second game to come."

Manchester United

Manchester United goalscorer Henrikh Mkhitaryan, speaking to BT Sport: "We have tried to win, we have played as good as we could on this pitch.

"I do not want to speak about the pitch because it was awful for both. For those watching, it was not a very interesting game."

Image source, AP

This is United's first draw in nine Europa League games this season. 

Here comes Henrikh Mkhitaryan. First question from TV is about... the pitch. 

Loser92:  A lot of these sides perform better away from home. United need to be wary of Rostov at Old Trafford. 

Richard Fridl: Stone age football, horrible to watch. The pitch, the antics of the players...just bad, bad, bad.

An away goal and no injuries... I think Jose Mourinho will take that.

Image source, Reuters

Terrible match but a professional performance by Manchester United who will be favourites to advance.

Anthony Martial with an air kick right in front of goal after Marouane Fellaini's knock down.

Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick are coming on for the last few moments. Daly Blind and Ander Herrera make way. Three additional minutes.

Image source, Reuters

Aleksandr Gatskan wants to put his name up in lights but Rostov's No 84 fires straight at Sergio Romero from a good position.

Great interception by Marcos Rojo prevents substitute Sardar Azmoun from going clean through. 

You're going to hear more about the state of this pitch. Dust is now getting in the eyes of the players. 

Image source, Reuters

Ibrahimovic slips while making a challenge and crumples in a heap before Ander Herrera is booked for a late challenge on Dmitri Poloz.

This surface is getting worse and worse. 

Chaos inside the Rostov box as Daley Blind whips in a free-kick which Marcos Rojo misses before the ball hits a yellow shirt. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is convinced it hits an arm and wants a penalty. The referee smiles at the United striker before turning away.

Image source, AFP

Both goalscorers are off the pitch as Aleksandr Bukharov makes way for Sardar Azmoun.  

United have failed to keep a clean sheet again but 1-1 is still a decent scoreline to take back to Old Trafford next week. Mourinho's side will be favourites to progress particularly as they have the away goal.

But they still need to see out this game. Rostov are going for a second.

Image source, Reuters

Jose Mourinho wants a second goal. Anthony Martial is introduced for goalscorer Henrikh Mkhitaryan with just over 20 minutes remaining. 

After all the criticism, the pitch comes to United's rescue as the ball bobbles up just as Aleksandr Erokhin makes contact inside the area and it fizzes wide. That looked a certain goal. Rostov have their tails up.

Image source, Reuters