Miller magic gives United vital lead
Ryan Giggs’ coolly-taken breakaway goal and a stunning impact on his debut by substitute Liam Miller helped Alex Ferguson’s side to a valuable victory, but not before they had survived a scare by Dinamo Bucharest.
A Quinton Fortune own-goal had handed the initiative to the Romanian double winners and there were unsettling moments before and after Giggs struck until Miller forced another own-goal, this time from Angelo Alistar, to make the game safe.
With at least £15m riding on United getting past Dinamo, Ferguson’s injury-hit side needed all their experience and willpower - and they were slightly fortunate to leave Bucharest with the only rude awakening being roused from their hotel beds in the morning by a bomb scare.
Dinamo were terrific in the first half, taking advantage of the heady atmosphere of the rather ramshackle National Stadium, but were less so in the second 45 minutes.
Ferguson said: “You have to be pleased to win away in Europe. After a bad start for us it was very pleasing to recover and go on and win this match.
“We knew Dinamo were a good team, there was some good forward play and we always had to be alive and alert.
“I am pleased with the team’s positive performance and it gives us a great opportunity at Old Trafford.”
Ferguson had sprung a surprise in his formation by playing Roy Keane at centre-back to shore up United’s fragile defence, with John O’Shea taking on the holding role in midfield.
The United manager added: “Roy’s contribution tonight was about his experience and to give confidence to those around him, that was the reason I played him there.
“I felt we still needed a positive presence in midfield and apart from that John O’Shea did very, very well on the ball for us.
“The last thing we wanted was to give away an early goal but we have been through it before and the most important thing was not to panic.”
Ferguson also played down the impact of a bomb scare at United’s team hotel on the morning of the game.
He added: “Apparently there was a phone call to the hotel saying there was a bomb but obviously it was a crank. The police searched all the rooms but it was nine o’clock so it was not a problem - the players just had a slightly earlier breakfast than usual.”
Dinamo coach Ioan Andone conceded that his side’s chances in the second leg in a fortnight are now very slender.
Andone said: “I am very sorry because we did not have a great game. Unfortunately after we went 1-0 up we did not know what to do.
“In the second half Manchester dominated the match. They created more opportunities, hit the post and we know it will be very difficult for us at Old Trafford.”
United striker Alan Smith was pleased with his European debut for the club.
“We have got a positive result,” Smith said. “They started brightly, but we found our rhythm and started to play some good stuff - and could have got more goals.”
The former Leeds forward struck the post in the second half and he added on ITV 2: “I was a bit unfortunate.
“But we are happy going back to Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory.
“We can’t underestimate them in the second leg. But the lads stuck together, and it is a good win for us.”
: Gaev, Ciobotariu (Galamaz 29), Alistar, Iordache, Balan (Baltoi 79), Margaritescu (Goian 53), Tames, Semeghin, Petre, Niculescu, Danciulescu.
: Howard, Gary Neville, O’Shea, Silvestre, Fortune, Fletcher (Miller 67), Keane, Djemba-Djemba, Giggs (Phil Neville 81), Scholes (Forlan 90), Smith.
: Paulo Manuel Gomes Costa (Port).
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