IN THE NICK OF TIME ... Antonio Valencia crashes
the ball home to earn Manchester United all three points
The Ecuador winger smashed home from close range after
Dimitar Berbatov had flicked on Nani's left-wing cross.
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 Alex Ferguson's side finished strongly.
Valencia, 24, 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.
United have now won all three of their European ties
and sit six points clear at the top of Group B.
The plastic pitch played havoc with both teams' play,
but particularly affected the visitors' normal crisp passing
style.
With divots in the field making the ball bobble
everywhere, United failed to create any real chances in the opening
half.
Paul Scholes had their best opportunity with a 35-yard
shot that goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved.
United found plenty of space on the left but Milos
Krasic was a constant threat for Juande Ramos' CSKA.
United began to assert themselves more midway through
the opening period and Fabio twice crossed only for Valencia to be
crowded out, allowing Akinfeev to claim.
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's most productive route appeared to be down the
left and another Nani cross was just too high for Berbatov at the
far post.
Krasic — who looked CSKA's most dangerous player — beat
two defenders to create another chance just inside the area but
shot across goal.
Nani again found good space for United before the break
and the ball worked its way across goal for Gary Neville to shoot
but the veteran's left-footed effort was just over.
United had a scare moments before half-time when a
Dzagoev free-kick into the box was cleared unconvincingly for a
corner.
The second period got off to a lively start, with
chances at both ends.
Nani raced through from a Valencia backheel but could
not find a team-mate with his cross.
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 Dazagoev had
the ball in the net before the hour but the flag had long since
been raised for offside and the home celebrations were
shortlived.
Berbatov flicked the ball into the area for the
visitors 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 proved unbeatable again.
United continued to press forward and Valencia's
30-yard effort came crashing back off the crossbar.
But with four minutes remaining, Ferguson's side got
their reward for a dominating second-half performance.
Nani's cute cross into the box found Berbatov, whose
downward header reached Valencia and the former Wigan star slammed
the ball home from a tight angle.
