Source: Daily_Mail
United all go with Antonio: Fergie hails Valencia as Reds head for Anfield
Manchester United prepared for Sunday's titanic Barclays Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield with a perfect night in the Champions League in Moscow.
After seeing Liverpool's preparations plunged into chaos by Tuesday night's 2-1 home defeat by Lyon, Sir Alex Ferguson's players enjoyed a much more comfortable evening as they beat CSKA Moscow 1-0 in the Russian capital.
A late goal from winger Antonio Valencia gave United victory and the win means last year's beaten finalists have a 100 per cent record this year after three straightforward games.
Manager Ferguson was boosted further last night as his team suffered no new injuries on the plastic surface at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Ferguson said: 'I'm very pleased as it was a very good night and there were no problems for us. The surface was not a problem.
The situation in the group is that we have nine points and I always think that if we get 10 we will qualify. We have a home game coming up now and that could take us into the next stage with a couple of games to spare.'
United were always comfortable last night but had to wait until the 86th minute for Valencia to score his second goal in two games. United are now 14 games unbeaten away from home in Europe, excluding last year's final which was played at a neutral venue matching the record set by Dutch team Ajax.
Ferguson said: 'We played in the first half with great patience and that is necessaryaway from home. It's a great achievement to be unbeaten for so long as it is never easy away in Europe.
'Our experience is always vital. We increased the tempo in the second half and played with greater penetration and we created some chances. If we have to wait until the 86th minute to score then so be it.'
Ecuador winger Valencia has had his critics since arriving from Wigan Athletic as areplacement for Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.
However, he has now scored two goals in five days and looks a decent bet to start at Anfield on Sunday.
Best foot forward: Valencia put in a sterling performance
Ferguson added: 'He has been very good for the last two or three weeks now and he has improved very well.
'He's settling into the club and his confidence is stronger. He has great assets for a wide player. He has strength and balance and speed and is a good crosser of the ball.
'The area he did not show so well when he was at Wigan was scoring. I think he only scored three or four last season.
'We said that would be the challenge for him at the start of the season but he hasscored two now and that will help him.'
Having left some players at home ready for the weekend, Ferguson also withdrew RioFerdinand and Paul Scholes early last night and then saw young defender Fabio takenoff on a stretcher at the end.
Ferguson explained: 'Fabio just had cramp and he will be OK. I thought he was outstanding. He was magnificent for a boy of his age. He was first class.
'I took Rio off as a precaution to make him available for Sunday and it was the samewith Paul Scholes. I was always going to do that. It was also important that Nemanja Vidic played for a whole game to prepare him.'
