Wednesday 02/11/2011
Champions League Group Stage
Manchester United moved top of Group C after a low key win at Old Trafford.
The positional change of Wayne Rooney was the main talking point as the team sheet was announced, as we saw the United top scorer start in central midfield. This deeper role left the striking spots up for grabs, and starts were awarded to Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen. The duo had had limited game time this season and were looking to make a big impression. Rio Ferdinand was reinstated at centre back, replacing the suspended Nemanja Vidic.
It was the home side who started the stronger putting Otelul under immense pressure with their high tempo passing game. It didn't take long for this pressure to tell, when after just 8 minutes Phil Jones broke down the right and fired across the face of goal, Antonio Valencia had an easy tap in to take the pressure off United. Michael Owen had made a dash to the near post in the build up, his determination had cost him, as moments after the goal he was withdrawn for picking up a muscle injury in the lunge. Chicharito was his replacement for the remain 80 minutes of play.
The early goal had settled the United nerves, but perhaps it had come too soon, as they struggled to settle into the game, being far too sloppy in possession. Otelul were getting men behind the ball and United were finding it hard to break the Romanian outfit down. As the game developed the visitors were finding themsevles with plenty of time on the ball, but lacked cutting edge, failing to create any chances of note.
Phil Jones from left back was providing United's strongest attacking threat with his marauding runs, and was unlucky not to double United's advantage when his curling shot was headed wide for a corner. On the stroke of half time the hosts almost threw their lead away when an Nani lost the ball deep in his own half, this gave Ionut Neagu a clear shot on goal, David De Gea was equal to the shot and beat the ball away well.
An unspectacular half, with United holding just a single goal lead meant the result was far from in the bag. If the fans were expecting a demolition of the Romanian minnows then it wasn't to come, as hosts were continually subdued in the second half. The resilience of Otelul was paying off as the enjoyed long periods of possession, and for a spell looked likely to pull things level. United weren't doing themselves any favours as Chicharito and Anderson in particular were incredibly sloppy with the ball.
Wayne Rooney's central role was proving to be a plus point as he sprayed quality passes around the field, working hard at both ends of the pitch, more than warrenting his man of the match award.
The hosts mopped things up late on when Rooney struck a shot from outside the box, it took a heavy deflection giving the Otelul keeper no chance. This was to be the last flash of excitement in a routine victory for United. The performance from the Old Trafford side was below par, but they did what was required to move to the top of Champions League Group C, after Benfica had drawn 1-1 at home to Basel.
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