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Played
November 2, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Strahonja‎
Attendance:‬ 74847‎
 
 
87′ (OG) Cristian Sârghi
 
Top of the Match
Phil Jones
Phil Jones
Man Utd.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Man Utd.
Flop of the Match
Silviu Ilie
Silviu Ilie
Otelul Galati
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans
Man Utd.

Manchester United 2-0 Otelul Galati: Deflected Wayne Rooney strike seals low-key victory as Red Devils move closer to qualification

Sir Alex Ferguson's side head to the top of Group C, after Antonio Valencia opens the scoring against the Romanians, with Michael Owen picking up an early injury

By Steve Hewlett

Champions League,Antonio Valencia,Luis Nani ,Manchester United FC v FC Otelul Galati
Getty Images
An early goal from Antonio Valencia and a deflected Wayne Rooney effort gave Manchester United a hard earned 2-0 victory over Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The three points leaves Sir Alex Ferguson's side top of Group C, level with Benfica, as Dorinel Munteanu's men proved a stern test for the Premier League champions at Old Trafford.

The clash was United's first game at home since the 6-1 defeat to Manchester City, and the need to erase the memory of the derby day humiliation was noted by Sir Alex in the build-up to the match, and his side wasted little time in scoring the opening goal.

Starts for Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov meant Rooney was given a midfield role against the Romanian side, whilst Rio Ferdinand and Brazilian full-back Fabio also featured in the line-up.

The hosts came out firing, with the visitors allowing Berbatov to trot forward and pass to the overlapping Phil Jones, who continued down the flank before crossing for Valencia to tap home from close range at the far post to open the scoring.

A rare appearance for Owen was abruptly curtailed when he came off after only 11 minutes to be replaced by Javier Hernandez, the move most likely being precautionary.

With the away side offering very little as an attacking force, Ferguson’s men didn’t need to up the tempo and intent as they held possession well.

Hernandez had a couple of attempts but his only real chance on goal ended up well wide of Branko Grahovac’s net after half an hour. Grahovac had to be alert shortly after when a marauding run from Fabio from inside his own half caught out the Otelul defence, with only an excellent sliding challenge from Cristian Sarghi preventing more danger.

Jones continued to prove problematic for the visitors after the break. This time the full-back's sprint to link up with Hernandez on the edge of the box freed Berbatov in the area, but the Bulgarian’s run took the ball wide and closed any possible angle for a shot.

The threat from Jones didn’t diminish and a bounding run down the right flank shortly after nearly resulted in another chance for Chicharito, but the 19-year-old's hanging cross was too high for the Mexican.

The home side soon slipped back into their first-half possession play, seemingly unwilling to step up a gear and finish off their opponents.

United's one goal lead seemed likely to remain, until late in the game a long-range effort from Rooney deflected of Sarghi and left Grahovac with no chance of saving the shot to make it 2-0.

The scoreline may have been harsh on the visitors, but Manchester United now move into pole position in Group C.


Man Utd.

1
David de Gea
Goalkeeper
7.0
4
Phil Jones
Defender
8′
7.5
5
Rio Ferdinand
Defender
6.0
6
Jonny Evans
Defender
36′ 89′
6.0
20
Fabio Da Silva
Defender
6.0
8
Anderson
Midfielder
80′
5.5
17
Nani
Midfielder
5.5
25
Antonio Valencia
Midfielder
8′
6.5
7
Michael Owen
Striker
11′
-
9
6.0
10
Wayne Rooney
Striker
87′
7.0

Otelul Galati

7.0
12
Branko Grahovac
Goalkeeper
6.0
3
Cornel Râpă
Defender
7.0
16
7.0
18
5.0
23
6.0
8
Liviu Antal
Defender
61′
5.0
14
Silviu Ilie
Defender
53′
5.5
4
Ioan Filip
Midfielder
7.0
26
Ionuţ Neagu
Midfielder
6.0
29
Gurgu
Midfielder
81′
5.5
27

Substitutes

34
Anders Lindegaard
Goalkeeper
-
51
Ezekiel Fryers
Defender
89′
-
3
Patrice Evra
Defender
-
13
Ji-Sung Park
Midfielder
80′
-
42
Paul Pogba
Midfielder
-
19
Danny Welbeck
Striker
-

Substitutes

-
1
Cristian Brăneţ
Goalkeeper
-
2
Nejc Skubic
Defender
-
-
6.0
11
Sorin Frunza
Midfielder
53′

Coach/Manager

Coach/Manager

-
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
14 4
Mario Gomez Mario Gomez
Striker
Bayern
13 0
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
10 2
Karim Benzema Karim Benzema
Striker
Real Madrid
7 0
Didier Drogba Didier Drogba
Striker
Chelsea
6 0