Rio Ferdinand believes Antonio Valencia can be Manchester United's new Paul Scholes.

United are on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages thanks to a late goal from Valencia securing a 1-0 win against CSKA Moscow at the Luzhniki Stadium last night.

Valencia, 24, who cost United £16million from Wigan this summer, has been in great form this season.

And England international Ferdinand has tipped him to replace Scholes, who at 34, is in the twilight of his career. The United defender said: “I think Antonio Valencia is in the Paul Scholes mould, in the way that he approaches the game. He's a very humble lad. He comes in and does his work and then goes home. He has been very impressive so far.”

The win on CSKA's plastic pitch delighted United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw his side maintain their excellent away record in the competition.
Aside from last season's defeat to Barcelona in the final, United have not lost on their travels in the competition since May 2007.

Ferguson said: “The away record is something we should be proud of. It is not easy away from home in Europe and we have been to some fantastic places over the years. There is a way of playing in Europe away from home and I think you saw that against CSKA.

“We showed good patience and retained good possession and I think that was the key factor.
We're very pleased with our performance.

“We now have nine points and I have always maintained that you need 10 to qualify. We have a home game against CSKA in two weeks' time which we hope can take us to the next stage.”

Meanwhile, Alexandre Pato was the hero for AC Milan as they won 3-2 away to Real Madrid.

The Brazilian scored twice, including the winner two minutes from time, to send his side top of Group C. Milan coach Leonardo said: “We played an incredible second half and I never thought we would lose.”