Manchester United 2-0 Otelul Galati – Match Report

A below-par Manchester United just did enough to ease past Otelul Galati 2-0 in a game that will not live long in the memory of many fans at Old Trafford. United didn€™t take long to get off the mark despite some careless early passing, and Antonio Valencia (8) was on hand to turn in a deflected Phil Jones cross. A rare start for Michael Owen was cut short however as he picked up an injury in the build up to the goal. Owen€™s near-post run was crucial in drawing defenders and goalkeeper away from Valencia but in stretching for the ball Owen felt a strain and had to be replaced by Hernandez (10). After the goal, Galati allowed United to play, and seemed conscious not to concede again. The home side looked more comfortable in possession with Wayne Rooney dictating play as he reprised his central midfield role that he took up against Everton at the weekend. Rooney once again showed his versatility, spraying passes all round the pitch with the sort of composure and confidence that Paul Scholes showed for so many years at Old Trafford. Despite their dominance in possession, United created few chances with Hernandez failing to make the most of through balls first from Dimitar Berbatov and then from Rooney. Phil Jones looked lively with a number of marauding runs from right-back and almost scored after a neat one-two with Valencia, but his goal bound shot was blocked. Jonny Evans then showed the sort of ill discipline that caught him out against Manchester City, as he was booked for a needless challenge on the halfway line. Galati finished the half well though and Neagu almost saw his shot deflected into the goal via Ferdinand but De Gea palmed the ball away brilliantly. HT United were quick out of the blocks after half time and Berbatov was unlucky to see his shot well saved by the Galati keeper and Hernandez was also denied although his shot lacked power. However, the Manchester side€™s passing became rather sloppy with Anderson the main culprit, although the whole side struggled to string a series of passes together. Galati were allowed more possession than they had had all evening, although the Romanian side struggled to create any clear cut chances. Despite their careless passing, United still managed to have a number of shots on goal. First Berbatov saw his shot balloon high and wide after some promising build up play, and then the Bulgarian turned provider for Anderson whose dink past the keeper was cleared of the line by Galati captain Costin. Rooney then ventured forward from midfield but his curling shot was straight down the throat of the goalkeeper. Galati€™s young winger Antal looked promising all night and he showed his confidence by taking on Evans, but his shot went high and wide. Jones showed pace down the right once more and his brilliant cross found Hernandez but the little Mexican failed to capitalise as his header looped wide. Nani then had a powerful shot saved after Hernandez laid him off on the edge of the box and a cross from deep by Fabio was met by Berbatov but his header lacked power. Berbatov was then gifted a chance as a terrible backpass put him one on one with Grahovac but the striker shot wide. United continued to be wasteful in possession and Anderson€™s lacklustre performance was acknowledged by Sir Alex Ferguson, who replaced the Brazilian with Park Ji-Sung with ten minutes remaining. Even Rooney (87) gave the ball away more than usual but his speculative shot from 30-yards took a huge deflection off a defender and bounced agonisingly past Grahovac into the goal. The shot looked to be going wide and was ultimately very harsh on the Romanians in a match in which they battled hard against a below-par Manchester United side. Referee: Marijo Strahonja Man Utd (4-3-3): De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans (Fryers, 89), Fabio Da Silva, Valencia, Anderson (Park, 80), Rooney, Nani, Brebatov, Owen (Hernandez, 11) Otelul Galati (4-4-2): Grahovac, Rapa, Costin, Sarghi, Salageanu, Neagu, Filip, Giurgiu (Paraschiv, 81), Antal (Iorga, 61), Pena, Ilie (Frunza, 52)