United wait for news on Scholes scan

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With Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick already sidelined, Ferguson can ill afford to lose Scholes for an extended period too, especially with a key Premier League confrontation with table-toppers Arsenal looming on November 3, so he will desperately hope rumours of an operation being required proved unfounded.

Paul Scholes (left) injured his knee in training before the game in Kiev on Tuesday

Scholes' presence is still key to United's chances of success this term, although no-one would have guessed it as John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher stepped into the breach at the Olympic Stadium last night as United romped to their biggest away-day success in Europe for nine years.

"We do have strength in depth but the most important thing just now is that the changes we are making are not affecting our performance," said Ferguson.

"Paul got an injury in training, which will require a scan and we also lost Patrice Evra with a calf strain in the warm-up but John and Darren came in and were excellent.

"Those two have been with us for a long time and understand what playing for this club is all about. But Carlos Tevez, Nani and Anderson joined us in the summer and have adapted really well to English football."

United were never seriously threatened once Rio Ferdinand - with his second goal in as many games and Wayne Rooney - 22 today - with his seventh in six - gave the visitors a flying start.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck either side of the interval to seal the Red Devils' third win in Group F.

Victory in the rematch at Old Trafford in a fortnight will ease Ferguson's side into the last 16 with two matches to spare.

"We have nine points now, which puts us in a great position," said Ferguson. "To score four goals away from home in a European game is an excellent performance at any time and we could have scored more.

"Our forward play at the moment is excellent and although the goals looked easy, you have to be there to take them.

"We had a few problems at the start of the season. Carlos and Anderson missed their pre-season endurance work because they were at the Copa America, Wayne got injured and Cristiano was suspended.

"As a result, we did not get the goals you would expect. Now you are seeing the difference."