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Played
November 2, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: M. Strahonja
Attendance: 74847
November 2, 2011 7:45 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: M. Strahonja
Attendance: 74847
Phil Jones
Man Utd.
Man Utd.
Wayne Rooney
Man Utd.
Man Utd.
Silviu Ilie
Otelul Galati
Otelul Galati
Jonny Evans
Man Utd.
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
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.
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.
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
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
14 | 4 |
|
|
Mario Gomez
Striker Bayern |
13 | 0 |
|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
10 | 2 |
|
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
7 | 0 |
|
|
Didier Drogba
Striker Chelsea |
6 | 0 |

