Match Report - FC Otelul Galati 0-2 Manchester United

Competition: Champions League
Kick-Off & Date: 7:45pm, Tuesday, 18th October 2011
Venue: Stadionul National, Bucharest, Romania (Neutral)
Attendance: 49,500


Manchester United edged past Otelul Galati in a close encounter at the National Stadium in Bucharest, thanks to a penalty double from Wayne Rooney in the second half. The Red Devil's rusty performance wasn't helped by referee Felix Brych, who made some astonishing decisions in the Champions League fixture, not least sending Nemanja Vidic off in the harshest of manners. But Roo stepped up to the plate, by grabbing a brace to end the match 2-0...

Anders Lindegaard was given only his second European Cup appearance between the sticks, Fabio Da Silva and Patrice Evra started as fullbacks, and Nemanja Vidic - on his return - was paired with Chris Smalling. The midfield was shaped-up of Oliveira Anderson and Michael Carrick, as Antonio Valencia and Luis Nani acted as wingmen. Javier Hernandez was seen up-front with Wayne Rooney, leaving many top strikers on the bench. 

This was a match United desperately needed to win, after uncharacteristically drawing their opening two games. But even the most optimistic Romanian knew that The Red Devils would ultimately outclass Otelul Galati. Mind you, that wasn't what The Red Devils did in a lacklustre first half. It was an interesting encounter, but neither side threatened one another to any extent, with only one scary moment as Lindegaard's clearance rebounded off Vidic.   

Otelul Galati forward Bratislav Punosevac had a chance for the home side, as did Nani for United early on. But neither could find the back of the net - with Rooney coming closest through a free-kick. Lindegaard made some routine saves, but his puck-outs were rendered useless by an uninspiring midfield. United's central players were dominant, but did nothing to create any decent opportunities. Sir Alex Ferguson was raging at half-time. 

The Reds came out in the second half with a little more urgency, but remained poor with their final deliveries. Cornel Rapa should have received red for a reckless challenge on Nani, but escaped without any punishment. Carrick missed a sitter before Rooney's ball into Chicharito was unquestionably handled by Otelul captain Sergiu Costin. Referee Felix Brych should have shown the defender red also, but opted for a yellow card instead. Penalty: Cue Roo.
 
Wayne sent Branko Grahovac the wrong way with a tremendous spot kick in the 64th minute. Two minutes afterwards, Vidic was red carded by German ref. Brych for a late challenge on Gabriel Giurgiu, but it was never in a million years a sending-off. The away side surrounded the official in protest, but Nemanja was given his marching orders and he left the field after attempting to flick the ball out of a throw-in in the middle of the park. Ridiculous. 

The ref. lost control of himself in the second half - handing out 8 cards, which were probably all, but one, undeserved. United suffered a booking and a sending off, while Galati sustained 5 yellows and one red card later in the fixture. Sir Alex took Valencia and Fabio (injured) off, in place of Jonny Evans and Philip Jones. And they were needed straight away, as the Romanians attempted to compound United's situation of having one less player on the pitch.

But Nani almost ended the game as a contest, with his free-kick narrowly saved before he smacked the right-hand post after some slack defensive play by Otelul Galati. But any fears that the home side would come back were almost entirely allayed, as Milan Perendija collected his second yellow card for hauling Hernandez to the floor. Chicha was on the end of quite a few fouls, but it was Rooney who attracted the most important foul - in the box.
 
Wazza was searching for a late goal to give The Red Army a cushion in the dying minutes, and he did that by proxy as he drew Liviu Antal into tripping him inside the 18-yard square. Again, Rooney stepped-up to dispatch another successful penalty, beating the goalkeeper on the same side as the previous kick despite him diving the correct way. The 92nd minute goal ensured all three points, putting United into second place in Group C.

United will have to do a lot better against Manchester City on Sunday, in the local Barclays Premier League derby at Old Trafford, but once the likes of Wayne Rooney are firing, supporters can rest assured that it will be yet another derby day turned Red. For now, The Reds remain behind SL Benfica in Europe, but will be looking to win their last 3 group games to top the pile and go on to lift the Champions League trophy for a 4th time in Munich !


United Team: Anders Lindegaard, Chris Smalling, Nemanja Vidic, Fabio Da Silva (Phil Jones '76), Patrice Evra, Oliveira Anderson, Antonio Valencia (Jonny Evans '71), Michael Carrick, Luis Nani, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez.

Goals: Rooney '64, '90+2
Bookings: Carrick '54
Sent-Off: Vidic '66

• Video Highlights: Otelul Galati 0-2 United