Jose Mourinho was impressed by Luke Shaw's "great contribution" in a rare start for Manchester United.
The left-back, once the most expensive teenager in the world, made his first start for United in 219 days as CSKA were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Tuesday's game was only Shaw third outing of the season after a 45-minute run out against Burton in the EFL Cup and a three-minute cameo against Swansea City in the same competition in October.
Shaw has continually been linked with a move away to United after failing to earn a place under Mourinho but his manager was positive about the player's chances moving forward.
"Luke Shaw offensively was very good and made a great contribution for the team," Mourinho told BT Sport. "Sergio Romero is only on the bench this season because we have David de Gea.
He added: "Shaw had waited for a long time, it is not easy to give an opportunity to a player in matches when we need results.
"I wanted to make changes, but Luke managed 90 minutes and I told him it is an opportunity to increase his levels."
CSKA went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Vitinho's effort deflected in off Alan Dzagoev but Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford ended their respective goal droughts after the break to confirm top spot in Group A.
Mourinho said: "If I could choose goalscorers, I would always choose the strikers. Their confidence depends on that sometimes.
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"Romelu Lukaku's work for the team every match is crazy. The goal was important for Marcus Rashford too.
"The first impression for the first goal was offside but then we saw it was not. The team showed the desire in the second half not by losing and going through, but to win."