Prolific Rooney rises above the ordinary

WAYNE ROONEY became the highest English scorer in Champions League history as 10-man Manchester United scraped home against Romanian Group C stragglers Otelul Galati last night.

Rooney slotted home a pair of second-half penalties to give the visitors their win, although skipper Nemanja Vidic will miss the remainder of the group phase after being sent off for a high tackle on Gabriel Giurgiu.

The goals, which took Rooney to 26 in the competition on his first start since being sent off playing for England in Montenegro, put a smile back on the striker’s face as United have now moved into second spot in the group.

However, it was a sluggish display from United and manager Alex Ferguson admitted his side had made life difficult for themselves.

He said: “I think in these away games you have to work, they are not easy. In the second half we improved a great deal, Nani’s performance in the second half was terrific.

“I’m satisfied with the result. It was a long night and we had to be patient.”

On the sending-off Ferguson added: “He’s raised his foot and in the context of referees’ interpretation in Europe I can see why he has given the red card — but it’s disappointing.”

After tossing away a two-goal lead against Basel at Old Trafford three weeks ago, United could not afford to take this game lightly.

It was not a surprise that Ferguson made nine changes from the team that drew at Liverpool on Saturday. But, if anything, this one was stronger, with Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Vidic amongst those returning.

However, if the Red Devils chief had expected the wasteful ways to be eradicated, he was sadly wrong.

Clearly the technically superior team and enjoying an overwhelming advantage in possession, United did little with it.

United’s clearest opening in the opening period came in its death throes as Nani rolled a pass into Michael Carrick’s path. It was an inviting opportunity that Carrick wasted by blazing over.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half it would not be unfair to say nothing happened, except for a string of yellow cards.

It all livened up on the hour though, starting with a low Nani cross to Rooney, whose shot on the turn bounced narrowly wide.

The pair combined on United’s next attack too, this time to provide Rooney with space from which to pick out Hernandez. Sergiu Costin instinctively stuck out an arm to prevent the cross reaching the Mexican. Costin was fortunate not to be sent off. Instead, the spot-kick proved to be United’s only reward as Rooney sent Branko Grahovac the wrong way. Once in front, it was hard to see how the visitors could not win.

Within minutes Otelul were back in it though, thanks to a second tough call on United by German referee Felix Brych, who decided there was an element of danger about Vidic’s challenge on Giurgiu and promptly sent the Serbian off.

Vidic was stunned. Ferguson reacted by introducing Jonny Evans and Phil Jones to steady the ship.

Costin headed over, then Bratislav Punosevac’s shot on the turn almost crept in.

Their hopes were ended by the dismissal of Milan Perendija for a second bookable offence two minutes from time, after which Rooney struck again finding the same corner as previously after he had been tripped by Liviu Antal.

OTELUL GALATI: Grahovac, Rapa, Costin, Perendija, Salageanu, Neagu (Pena 72), Filip, Giurgiu, Antal, Punosevac (Iorga 87), Frunza (Ilie 83).

MAN UTD: Lindegaard, Fabio Da Silva (Jones 76), Vidic, Smalling, Evra, Valencia (Evans 71), Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez.

Ref: Felix Brych (Germany).