Manchester United move closer to Last 16

Manchester United move closer to Last 16

Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent record in Champions League Group B after their 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

A United side which showed five changes battled hard to earn the points after gradually wearing down their Russian opponents at the Luzhniki Stadium - the first time they had returned since winning the 2008 final.

Antonio Valencia (86) grabbed the vital goal from close range to take United's tally to nine points from three games.

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

Paul Scholes had United's first effort with a dipping 35-yard effort that bounced awkwardly and Igor Akinfeev touched over for a corner.

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 the break when an Alan Dzagoev free-kick into the box was cleared unconvincingly for a corner.

Deividas Semberas shot well over early in the second half and Dazagoev 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.

Dimitar 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.

The lively Nani almost headed United ahead with an hour gone, as the visitors began to take control, but his diving header was turned away at the foot of the post by a sprawling Akinfeev.

Valencia then rattled the woodwork from the edge of the box after a neat one-two with Nani before he latched onto a Berbatov knockdown to lash the ball home from close range