Manchester City and United United get Champions League bids back on track with narrow wins THE Manchester clubs got their Champions League bids back on track today, with City winning in Russia while United downed Real Sociedad. United ground out a tight 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford to move closer to a place in the Champions League knockout phase. The decisive goal in the first ever meeting between the teams came within moments of kick-off, Inigo Martinez scoring an own-goal after the excellent Wayne Rooney had struck the post. Both sides hit the woodwork thereafter, Real Sociedad on two occasions, but unlike in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League, United were spared the pain of shipping a late equaliser. Victory, coupled with Bayer Leverkusen's success against Shakhtar Donetsk, leaves United a point above the German side at the top of Group A ahead of their return fixture against La Real on November 5. Amid domestic shortcomings, it also eased some of the pressure on United manager David Moyes, whose storied predecessor, Alex Ferguson, was once again in attendance, a day after launching his new autobiography. With Robin van Persie carrying minor toe and groin injuries, Javier Hernandez was handed a start up front for United, while La Real recalled captain Xabi Prieto following a spell out with hamstring trouble. United were trialling a new 'singing section' in the East Stand and the 1,500 fans in that area were given something to sing about within only 69 seconds of kick-off. Rooney left three defenders in his wake with an uncharacteristic jinking run on the left-hand edge of the penalty area and although his shot hit the post, Martinez inadvertently shanked the rebound into his own net. City got its Champions League bid back on track by coming from behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 in testing conditions in the Russian capital. CSKA took a 32nd-minute lead courtesy of former Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic, but Sergio Aguero quickly equalised and then put the Premier League club in front before the interval at the Arena Khimki. Manchester City's Sergio Aguero, right, celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group D soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. Aguero, who scored twice in the 3-1 weekend win at West Ham United, picked up where he left off to give Manuel Pellegrini's side a second victory in Group D that leaves them well-placed, along with Bayern Munich, to progress to the competition's knockout stages. "It is an important win," Pellegrini told UK Sky television after the game. Manchester City's Yaya Toure, left, misses a chance to score as Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev dives during the UEFA Champions League group D soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City Reaching the last 16, of course, is something City have never managed to do before despite their huge outlay on players in recent seasons, but their attacking quality shone through here on a poor pitch in cold conditions and in an unsavoury atmosphere. Torrential rains last month seriously damaged pitches in the Moscow region to the extent that Leonid Slutski's side had to play their last home group game against Viktoria Pilsen hundreds of kilometres away in St Petersburg. The pitch at their temporary Khimki Arena home was passed fit for the visit of City, but it was far from ideal, while British television claimed that the visitors' Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure was subjected to monkey chants from spectators within the stadium. Moscow's Georgi Milanov, right, and Manchester City's Jesus Navas battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group D soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. That could lead to fu ther problems for CSKA, who have not won, or even scored a goal, in any of their last five games in the Russian Premier League and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the last 16 after this result. City boss Pellegrini brought Jesus Navas in for Samir Nasri, while Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov came back into the defence. However, that defence was again missing Vincent Kompany and their soft centre was exposed when the hosts took the lead just after the half-hour mark. A long ball downfield was headed on by Keisuke Honda to Tosic, and the Serbian winger, who had an unsuccessful spell with Manchester United earlier in his career, lobbed the outrushing Joe Hart to open the scoring. Manchester City's reserves attempt to keep warm ahead of the UEFA Champions League group D soccer match between CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. City, wearing all white, had created the best chances before that, with Toure squandering a glorious chance from a third-minute David Silva corner, but they responded to falling behind brilliantly, drawing level barely two minutes later. Sergei Ignashevich failed to clear a low Silva cross from the left, and Aguero took full advantage, allowing himself a touch before prodding past the exposed Igor Akinfeev. The game became more and more open after that, and the visitors struck again to take the lead three minutes before the break, Aguero getting in front of Kirill Nababkin this time to head home a delightful cross from fellow forward Alvaro Negredo. Akinfeev saved well from a Silva free-kick right on the half-time whistle, while Negredo had an effort disallowed for handball just after the restart. After that, CSKA pressed forward in search of an equaliser and were unlucky on more than one occasion late on, notably when a stunning strike on the half-volley from substitute Ahmed Musa was harshly ruled out by the Romanian referee for a high boot by Pontus Wernbloom on Toure in the build-up. Hart, who has come in for widespread criticism for his form in the opening weeks of the season, then produced a stunning save from Honda in the third minute of injury time as City held on. Manchester United players celebrate an own goal by Real Sociedad's Inigo Martinez. Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney reacts to a missed chance during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad. Manchester United's Jonny Evans, left, jumps for a ball during the Champions League group A soccer match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad. Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa, left, keeps the ball from Real Sociedad's Xabi Prieto during the Champions League group A soccer match. Real Sociedad's defender Alberto de la Bella (L) takes a free-kick during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad.