Otelul Galati 0 United 2

United got their first win of the group stages, after two draws, but it was a lot harder than many anticipated out in Romania.

Team News - Sir Alex Ferguson made 9 changes to the starting eleven that ran out at Anfield. Amongst those nine was the re-appearance of Nemanja Vidic for the first time since the opening fixture of the season.

United emerged from the tunnel with the stadium having more United supporters inside it than home supporters. As for the temperature, just below freezing!

First Half - United got the action underway in Bucharest and had a lot of the ball in the early stages but with the home side sitting deep were unable to open up their defence.

Instead the home side was presented with a chance when Vidic lost possession but the shot form Punosevac was weak and Lindegaard had no trouble saving it. United responded with a long range shot from Anderson that was off target.

United were continuing to control possession but clear-cut chances were non-existent. Filip, pushing forward for the home side saw his effort clear the bar after trying his luck from outside the box.

Rooney, with his first effort of the night, saw his deflected shot easily saved by the keeper. Rooney tried his luck with a free kick but Grahovac, in the home sides` goal, kept it out.

The next to try his luck, in a series of long range shots, was Evra, but once again the keeper wasn`t to be beaten saving at his near post. Right on the half time whistle, United wasted a great chance when Carrick blasted over form twelve yards after being set up by Nani.

All in all a slightly disappointing first half!

Half Time - Otelul Galati 0 United 0

Second Half - No changes were made at half time by either side. The half started much as the first finished with United thwarted by the massed ranks of defenders on the edge of the home sides` box.

United started to show some more urgency in their play but the opening goal was to come from the penalty spot, courtesy of Wayne Rooney after 64 minutes. It came after a blatant hand-ball from Costin after he`d intercepted a Rooney ball intended for Hernandez.

Otelul Galati 0 United 1 (Rooney pen - 64 minutes)

Unfortunately, on his first game back since the opening fixture of the season, Vidic was to receive a straight red card after a high tackle on Giurgiu, a little harsh possibly!

Sensing United were now on the back foot the home side poured forward and Antal saw a shot blocked by Carrick whilst Filip also went close. Sensing United were coming under pressure, Sir Alex replaced Valencia with Jonny Evans.

Sir Alex shored up the defence further introducing Jones in place of Fabio and the home side went close again when Costin headed over. The home side continued to press and Punosevac went close from a Filip cross.

As the game approached a conclusion the home side were reduced to ten men when Perendija was show a red card for dragging Carrick back.

United had a glorious chance to wrap the game up when they were awarded a second penalty on the night and when Rooney duly converted it, it was game over

@Blue_Mel that is exactly what the CL and PL is all about, peaking at the right momement, what is the point of blasting through the group stages, only to run out of steam in the quater or the semis. The reason why United has done so well over the past decades, is exactly managing when to peak, only look at Chelsea last season when the flew out out of blocks only to falter come mid/end season.. Every year its the same United has lost it, when the play poorly in hte beginning, only to find United hitting the gear when it matters.. I would be more worried about City, the seem out of CL already, and can the keep up the performances in the PL or will they do a Chelsea..

The only club Chelsea has any concerns for is ..Chelsea! What other clubs do is their own concern. We just do OUR job - win matches , play the best we can and try to get Manchester Uniteds luck (lol) and some Fergie-time (if needed,lmao). As a Chelsea fan, I am quite happy with our season so far - with things looking to improve in the coming months! Also looking for a draw in the Manchester derby - i would suggest an attractive possibnility - nay probability

Individually I wouldn't say any of the players had a poor game but as a collective performance it was quite slow and lazy. All the energy seemed to come from the left flank with Nani and Evra breezing through their defensive lines with ease, only to get hacked down from a horrific challenge everytime though. MOTM for me wasn't Rooney, it was Nani with Evra being a very close 2nd. Rooney grabbed the goals and got the penalties but other than those two moment I don't think he really done much at all. Nani on the other hand must've been the reason behind 3 bookings for the Romanian side and there should've been more. He played the lovely chipped through ball that got Rooney the penalty in the first place and he with Evra looked like our only attacking threat. The ref was poor on the night, Vidic's red card was the joke of the night.

To the officials? No, wrong again TF7. Stop reading crap and forming opinions on it, the few that threw them paper balls on to the pitch and at the Villareal player taking a corner were bang out of order but none were thrown at officials. At least it wasn't darts and golf balls I suppose. ;-)