CSKA Moscow 0 Manchester United 1

ANTONIO VALENCIA struck a late winner as Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent record in Champions League Group B at the expense of CSKA Moscow.

Chances had been at a premium on the artificial surface of the Luzhniki Stadium – scene of United’s final victory in 2008 – but United finished strongly.

Valencia, who celebrated his first United goal last weekend, doubled his tally for the club five minutes from time, moments after rattling the crossbar with a fierce drive.

Nani had earlier gone close with a firm header from a Gary Neville cross while a bouncing 35-yard effort from Paul Scholes in the first half forced Igor Akinfeev to save.

United are now well on course for a place in the knockout stages and last night welcomed back Nemanja Vidic to the centre of defence.

Nani and Fabio also came in on the left and formed a good attacking partnership on a flank that proved United’s most productive route forward.

CSKA had the first shot on goal when the dangerous Milos Krasic took advantage of hesitancy from his fellow Serb Vidic but fired wide from outside the box after a weaving run.

United began to assert themselves midway through the first half and John O’Shea had a cross headed clear by Sergei Ignashevich.

Fabio also found room to cross twice in quick succession but former Wigan star Valencia was first crowded out and then Akinfeev easily claimed.

Scholes, playing in a deeplying role, had the visitors’ first shot with a dipping longrange effort that bounced awkwardly and Akinfeev touched over for a corner.

United had a scare moments before the interval when a Dzagoev free-kick was cleared unconvincingly for a corner.

United took Rio Ferdinand off with a third of the game remaining and created a chance soon after when Neville crossed for Nani but Akinfeev saved.

Michael Owen was introduced as a 71st-minute substitute for Scholes and had a fine opportunity when Valencia crossed but he failed to connect with a volley.

Valencia was closer eight minutes from time when he combined well with Berbatov and went one better five minutes from time when he lashed in the winner from Berbatov’s assist.