Manchester United have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League as Group A winners with a narrow 1-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Phil Jones slammed home from a corner after the delivery evaded everyone on 67 minutes to give David Moyes's side their first win in four games.

Alex Teixeira came close for the visitors on 12 minutes when his poked effort flashed wide of David de Gea's far post.

Adnan Januzaj did well to turn and shoot inside the area after chesting down a high cross on 16 minutes, but his effort was struck straight at Andriy Pyatov in Shakhtar's goal.

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The Ukrainian champions were sharp in the final third and their flowing move ended when Douglas Costa blasted a shot at teammate Luiz Adriano on the edge of the box just before the half-hour mark.

Wayne Rooney bent a free kick around the wall, but his effort could only hit the side-netting with sections of Old Trafford celebrating.

Minutes later Shakhtar should have had the lead when a quick counter saw Fred in acres on the edge of the box. However, the Brazilian made a weak connection with the shot and it was easily blocked by Rio Ferdinand.

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Ashley Young had United's best chance but the winger lobbed the ball wide with Rooney screaming for a pass inside the six-yard box.

Yaroslav Rakytskiy should have scored almost immediately after the break, but his low effort was blocked onto the post by Jones from six yards out.

Rooney drew widespread applause from the United crowd when his attempted chip went narrowly over the bar just before the hour mark.

The relief was tangible on 67 minutes when Jones converted from around 12 yards after keeping his volley down.

The visitors were the better side for most of the first half, but Jones's goal took the wind from their sails, and they looked a beaten team as the game lurched towards its conclusion.