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
Russian capital's 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 four minutes from time, just 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, who are now well on course for a place in the knockout
stages, can now look forward to Sunday's Premier League trip to
troubled rivals Liverpool in high spirits.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, perhaps with Anfield in mind, made
five changes from the side victorious over Bolton last time out.
Nemanja Vidic returned to the centre of defence while John O'Shea
and Scholes were included in central midfield.
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.
Ferguson's suggestion the game would be played on the ground due
to the nature of the pitch was true in the early stages as both
sides began patiently.
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 more midway through the first
half and 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.
Class act: Fabio battles for the ball with CSKA's
Milos Krasic
Scholes, playing in a deep-lying role, had the visitors'
first shot with a dipping long-range effort that bounced awkwardly
and Akinfeev touched over for a corner.
CSKA responded with Alan Dzagoev lifting a ball into the box but
Tomas Necid's header was of little concern to Edwin van der
Sar.
United again attacked down the left and another Nani cross was
just too high for lone striker Dimitar Berbatov at the far
post.
Krasic, who looked CSKA's most threatening player, beat two
defenders to create another chance just inside the area but shot
across goal.
Nani again broke clear for United before the break but Neville
shot over after the ball worked its way across goal.
United had a scare moments before the interval when a Dzagoev
free-kick was cleared unconvincingly for a corner.
Job done: United's players celebrate Valencia's
strike
The second half got off to a lively start with chances
at both ends. Nani raced through from a Valencia backheel only to
find no-one with his cross while Berbatov controlled well but saw
his shot blocked.
Necid then brought down the ball brilliantly outside the United
box but after doing the hard work, his shot was tame.
Deividas Semberas then shot well over and Dzagoev had the ball
in the net before the hour but the flag had long since been raised
for offside and home celebrations were quickly curtailed.
Berbatov flicked the ball into the area for United but his
attempts to win a penalty from Aleksei Berezutski came to nothing
when he was booked for diving.
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 five
minutes later but he failed to connect with a volley.
Valencia went much closer eight minutes from time when he
combined well with Berbatov and Nani on the edge of the area but
his powerful shot rebounded off the woodwork.
Not to be denied, Valencia went one better five minutes from
time when he latched onto a downward header from Berbatov and
turned six yards out to lash in the winner.
United's only obvious concern came late on when Fabio was
carried off on a stretcher, apparently with cramp.