Otelul Galati 0 – 2 Manchester United

Manchester United finally claimed their first win in this Champions League edition after Wayne Rooney scored twice from the penalty spot in Romania. The striker scored his 25^th and 26^th goals in the European competition, overtaking his former teammate Paul Scholes to become the highest scoring Englishman in the Champions League. Both sides were also reduced to 10 men in an eventful second half, with Nemanja Vidic being sent off with 25 minutes left, while Perendija saw red for the hosts in the final minutes of the match.

Sir Alex Ferguson made nine changes to the side that he fielded against Liverpool, with captain Nemanja Vidic starting for the first time since picking up a calf injury in the opening fixture of the season. Home side Otelul Galati has been written off by most well before kick-off, but for large portions of the first half they looked like the more dangerous side, thanks to Man United’s carelessness. Vidic showed his lacked of match fitness within 12 minutes by ill-adjusting a routine pass that was intercepted by Punosevac, whose shot at goal was stopped by Anders Lindegaard. The Serb striker then tested Lindegaard again minutes later after he had dispossessed Fabio on the edge of the penalty area. Lindegaard, who was filling in while De Gea was rested, then cleared the ball straight into Nemanja Vidic from close range.

It took the visitors half an hour to create their first real chance, with a free-kick from Wayne Rooney from 25 yards, after Michael Carrick had been fouled. Rooney’s effort was tame though and the attempt was saved by Galati’s goalkeeper. Even though Man United dominated possession, they failed to be inspired in the last 30 yards and as such were unsuccessful in creating chances. Their only other opportunities in the first half came from a attempt from Patrice Evra and a right-foot shot from Michael Carrick three minutes before half-time that flew high above the bar.

The second half proved to be livelier. Manchester United remained careless and wasted a chance after collecting the ball from Nani from 8 yards and turning, only to shoot wide. United finally made the breakthrough in the 64^th minute. Nani set up Rooney from the left wing and the No. 10 crossed the ball for Javier Hernandez, but he was denied by Costin who blocked the pass with his hand. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot and Rooney sent goalie Grahovac the wrong way to score his 12^th goal of the season.

Moments later, Nemanja Vidic was being sent off harshly for a challenge on Gabriel Giurgiu. The tackle seemed high, but it looked like it deserved a yellow card rather than a red one. Being reduced to 10 men, Manchester United endured a nervy end to the match. Carrick bravely blocked Antal’s volley that seemed goal-bound, before Evans was brought on in the place of Antonio Valencia to play alongside Chris Smalling.

Nani nearly doubled Man United’s lead from a free-kick minutes later, while Punosevac shot off-target at the other end. Otelul Galati were also reduced to 10 men in the 90^th minute, after Perendija was showed a second yellow card for fouling Javier Hernandez.

Man United were awarded a second penalty in the 91^st minute after Rooney was tripped by Antal in the penalty box. Once again, Rooney stepped up to do himself again, and once again he scored to hand Man United a much-needed win.